April 23, 2009   OTTAWA, ON – Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, expressed disappointment that Northwestern ON NDP members, who in the past have supported ending the long gun registry, refused to take a stand for responsible gun owners by voting against a Bloc Quebecois motion in the House of Commons yesterday.  Instead, they sided with the Liberals and the Bloc in a whipped vote by their Leader Jack Layton.
 
“I was very surprised that the Northwestern Ontario NDP members voted against extending amnesty for hunters, farmers, and particularly First Nations, where hunting is part of their livelihood,” said Rickford.  “One of them didn’t even show up to vote on behalf of his constituents”.
 
The “Opposition Motion”, as it is called stated:
“That, in the opinion of the House, the government shouldn’t extend the amnesty on gun control requirements set to expire on May 16, 2009, and should maintain the registration of all types of firearms in its entirety.”
 
“Constituents in Northwestern Ontario want to see the end of the wasteful registry and they thought they had voted for candidates that would stand up for their needs and do the right thing.” concluded Rickford.