Ending Long Gun Registry Hypocritical as Nation Marks December 6th: ETFO

December 2, 2011

Toronto – Hypocritical is the only word to describe the federal government’s bill to end the long gun registry as the nation gets set to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the 14 women slain at Montreal’s École Polytechnique, according to the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

"The irony of watching the federal government shut down the long gun registry just as we commemorate the tragic event that gave birth to the registry is painful for many Canadians, women and men alike," said ETFO President Sam Hammond. On December 6th, Canadians will mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, the date that the Montreal women were killed by a man wielding a semi-automatic rifle.

"The success of the registry is clear. The number of women murdered with guns has dropped dramatically since 1995 as have murders from long guns," said Hammond. "The shutting down is surely not about money. The registry’s dismantling will save less than four million dollars a year, according to the Montreal Polytechnique Student and Graduate Association."

"Bill C-19 is being driven purely by ideology, not common sense," added Hammond. "If this government was truly concerned about ending violence against women, it would maintain the registry, because the murder of women did not end with the 14 who were slain in Montreal. It is a reality that women face every day."

"Stopping violence against women must be a priority for all levels of government." said Hammond. "As teachers, we are gravely concerned about this issue because we see the impact of violence against women on our students, some of whom may witness violence, or become its victim themselves."

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education professionals across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.