Ottawa Notebook

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Gun law proclaimed

OTTAWA (Staff) – On the Dec. 5 eve of the sixth anniversary of the shooting deaths of 14 Montreal women by a lone gunman, the government’s new gun control legislation became law.

Effective Jan. 1, anyone convicted of using a firearm while committing a series of crimes will face a minimum four-year prison term and a lifetime ban on restricted firearm ownership.

Among other restrictions, the legislation will require registration of all guns.

While the gun owners’ lobby fought the legislation as an unjustified incursion into private property rights and probably a step on the way to gun confiscation, the government justified it as part of a plan to fight crime.

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Ag minister says tariff situation with China is fragile, volatile

Agriculture ministers from across Canada said they heard canola producers’ concerns about tariffs but it seems unlikely they can do much about them.

“This legislation will help preserve the peaceful character of Canadian society and help the police fight crime and violence,” justice minister Allan Rock said Dec. 5 in announcing royal assent for the legislation, approved last month.

Sugary food to cost more

As expected, some industrial and commercial sugar users have complained to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal about its Nov. 6 decision to authorize high duties on sugar imports.

They complain the public interest will be harmed because food prices will be increased.

The tribunal must decide by Jan. 8 whether “public interest hearings” are warranted to re-examine its decision.

It originally decided to support duties on imported or dumped sugar after concluding that low-priced imports are jeopardizing the health of Canada’s sugar industry.