A landmark decision to destroy the records? And no recourse or explanation on where the billion went. Alan Rock the puppeteer/architect deemed almighty in saving us from ourselves has shot the Canadian tax payer.
Such a great nation directed by fools. What's next? Oh yes, H1N1...
Below is the likely summation of a whole lot of time and money wasted.
It's as good as dead. Unless the Senate hums and haws to such excess that a writ drop kills the bill, the federal gun registry is on its way to extinction with all gunowner records destroyed.
Backed by 21 MPs from the three opposition parties and a solid block of support from the Conservatives, the House of Commons voted 164 to 137 to endorse a bill abolishing the gun registry for final consideration at committee and ultimately the Senate.
It was a stronger endorsement of the MP Candace Hoeppner's private member bill, much more than even she had expected. What was supposed to be a squeaker became an all-party pile-on against a misguided, albeit well-meaning, mess that has cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars during its 11-year run.
Even the Senate would find itself tilting hard against the expressed intention of the House of Commons should it needlessly delay, modify or reject the bill.
Besides, the Red Chamber is getting close to a tie between Conservative and Liberal senators, so any delay could tip the balance of power toward the Conservatives and end any suspense about the result.
But what was even more surprising than the vote was the appearance of the swine flu's first facemask in the Commons. Exactly why this MP, whose face was not familiar to me, was sporting a mask is a matter of considerable speculation and concern on the Hill and I shall seek an answer asap. If he was voting while infected by H1N1, tomorrow will bring on demands for all MPs ill with the virus to stay away, no matter how important the vote.