Through the COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues and I have worked hard to ensure the necessary supports are available for those affected by this crisis.
We have also been fighting for democratic accountability. On May 1st, my colleagues and I were outraged by the announcement that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implemented a sweeping ban of over 1,500 different firearms with no debate.
It is important to acknowledge the tragedy in Nova Scotia, and as I have shared a number of times, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy.
Since May 1st, constituents of Battle River Crowfoot have expressed outrage, disappointment, and fear that the Government would use a tragedy that took place amid a global crisis to further their political agenda.
It is shameful that the Prime Minister used the senseless killing of 22 people in Nova Scotia to justify his political ends. The Government has continually asked that all MPs be a part of ‘Team Canada’ yet his actions are a slap in the face to these efforts.
The banning of these firearms does little to protect Canadians but instead only targets those who already follow the law.
The Liberal Government has yet again cheated Canadians of accountability with an action that does little to prevent violent crime in Canada. This is especially evident as many of our communities are facing the consequences of the unprecedented increase in rural crime over the last number of years.
Instead of targeting law-abiding Canadians, the Government should be prioritizing law enforcement.
As your Member of Parliament, I will continue to work hard for the constituents of Battle River Crowfoot and stand up for law-abiding firearms owners and democratic oversight.
This ban is short-sighted, ineffective, unfair, and will not be ignored. No matter what side of this issue someone finds themselves on, all Canadians are rightly concerned about this egregious example of executive overreach and lack of democratic involvement in these decisions. I will have more to say on this in the coming weeks.
Lastly, I wanted to talk briefly about agriculture.
My family’s farm, like many farms across Canada, are either in the field or preparing to plant crops. These are challenging times for agriculture, and I can assure you that I am fighting for you, for farmers and ranchers who are facing challenges related to COVID-19, trade and market challenges, and the uncertainty facing agriculture.
Please know that if you are in need of assistance or have questions about programs related to the government programs, please reach out.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column you are encouraged to write Damien Kurek at 4945-50th St. in Camrose. The postal code is T4V 1P9. You can also call 780-608-4600, text 403.575-5625, or e-mail damien.kurek@parl.gc.ca.
You can also stay up to date with what Kurek is up to by following him on social media @dckurek.
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