Quebec should target Aboriginal reserves in fighting illegal guns trade: Duhaime

Éric Duhaime said authorities need to crack down on the proliferation of illegal arms, suggesting that they raid Aboriginal reserves to do so.

Speaking on Quebec City’s Radio X about Quebec’s plans to establish a long-gun registry, the Conservative Party of Quebec leader said it is a waste of money, and the province should lay off legal gun owners and go to the sources of the illegal gun trade.

“The problem with crime isn’t the registry. We have to have laws against criminals, and leave hunters and farmers alone,” Duhaime told a caller Wednesday afternoon. “But the problem with the political class is that it’s always easier to attack honest hunters and honest farmers than to attack bandits, or to go to Aboriginal reserves where there is illegal arms trade. Illegal arms are more dangerous than hunters or farmers who have guns, like pretty much all farmers.”

He said more pressure has to be put on border protective services to crack down on arms coming into Quebec.

“We have to ensure that illegal arms stop,” he said. “When you look at the crimes that occur, all the murders committed with firearms were all committed with illegal arms.”

Asked to comment about the statement, Conservative spokesperson Cédric Lapointe explained Duhaime was referring to the fact that the waters around the Akwesasne reserve that straddles Quebec, Ontario and the state of New York are being monitored by authorities to combat the illegal arms trade.

The day started with a report about CAQ candidate Jean Boulet saying that “80 per cent of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society.”

Later, François Legault said that admitting more than 50,000 immigrants a year into the province would be “suicidal” for Quebec.

“It’s not the first time. It’s not just Mr. Boulet — it’s the premier himself, who equated immigrants with violence. We’re all concerned,” Duhaime told reporters in a morning news conference.

“At some point, we have to wonder: Is it really a mistake, or are they trying to send a mixed signal? It has come to the point that the premier can’t even talk about immigration because he’s making mistakes. Obviously, the CAQ has a problem with immigration, and that’s what we see right now.”

Later, at an evening rally in the Lotbinière-Frontenac riding, Duhaime continued on the attack, saying Legault is painting all Quebecers as intolerant.

“The reality of Quebec is in the process of changing,” he told supporters. “Immigrants are a resource, and we have to open our hearts and our arms to integrate them into the francophone majority and to integrate them into our companies. We need them as much as they need to leave their countries of origin.

“Quebecers are a tolerant people. We are welcoming and warm,” he continued. “Unfortunately, the Legault government sends a message that distorts this reality and the beauty of the Quebec people. The attitude of the government in place hurts Quebec and is passé, and we have a chance in five days to turn the page on this Quebec that we don’t want.”

Earlier in the day, Duhaime pledged that if elected, he would reduce the size of the government’s cabinet, saying there would be a maximum of 20 ministers. He urged the other parties to do the same.

“It would be a savings of several million,” Duhaime said, standing in front of the National Assembly overlooking the road where limousines park in the morning to drop off cabinet ministers. “We have to send the message that the government is ready to tighten its own belt.”

He expressed concern that if Legault is re-elected, he could put in place an even larger cabinet than the 27 posts that existed when the assembly was dissolved this summer. Duhaime said limiting the number of ministerial posts will be difficult for Legault, as he has sought out star candidates and likely promised many a cabinet position.

“I’m concerned that Mr. Legault has a lot of mouths to feed, and now he went and got other candidates, so he’ll have even more mouths to feed. I understand the problem for him will be even more difficult to restrict the number of ministers. But he has to set the example.”

jmagder@postmedia.com

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