Philippe Couillard satisfied with the control of firearms in Quebec

Photo By Marc-André Gagnon
The prime minister Philippe Couillard and his counterpart from Ontario, Kathleen Whynne, have met, in the course of the last two days, nearly a dozen governors of american States, to discuss free trade, among others.

Marc-André Gagnon

Saturday 24 February 2018 15:57

UPDATE
Saturday 24 February 2018 16:03

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WASHINGTON | prime minister Philippe Couillard does not intend to raise, in Quebec, the debate on the control of firearms, which the american side, in full swing since the shooting that left 17 people dead, in a school in Florida.

“I would say that Quebec is the canadian province with the most (in terms of gun control),” said Mr. Couillard, when questioned on the subject that is on everyone’s lips in the United States, since the shooting occurred on the 13th of February last.

The prime minister, who spoke in the course of the last two days with nearly a dozen governors, u.s., Washington, has been able to see at what point it is a hot topic on the other side of the border.

“They (the governors of the States in the us) are very highly marked and traumatised by the tragedy of Florida, told Mr. Couillard, at the end of his visit in the american capital. One feels that there is a great deal of reflection going on, and it is conducted by the youth of the country. I think that this is what is new. We never saw this until now. It is the youth, which seems to be saying with one voice : that’s enough.”

Even if the entry into force at the end of January of the registre québécois weapons has provoked criticism, especially from fans of hunting, Mr. Couillard remains convinced that it is a measure supported by the majority.

“I live in the area, I’m a hunter, I have two hunting rifles, a-t-he stressed. This is not a problem to register, online, free, without chiseling, a firearm. It takes a few minutes. And this is not a chair, this is not a chair : it is a firearm. It is an object that is different, that should be treated differently.”

Question of balance

Despite the shootings that have taken place in Québec over the last few years, the liberal leader does not contemplate further action in the matter of gun control.

In recent days, the us president, Donald Trump has mentioned the possibility of offering a “small bonus” for teachers who want to be well-armed to better protect their students.

In Toronto, Ontario, the largest school board in the country has decided, last November, to withdraw the police school of their schools, because the students felt intimidated by this police presence.

“It is always necessary to maintain a balanced attitude, believes Mr. Couillard. We don’t want our schools to become places militarized or quasi-militarized. This is not what it is all about. Moreover, it is a part of the discussion in american these days.”

All in all, the prime minister said he was delighted to live in a country very peaceful,” which was not “this culture of possession of the firearm as a constitutional right”.

Still, “it is necessary to keep the guard high,” said Mr. Couillard, who keeps in mind the tragic events as those of the mosque of Sainte-Foy or Dawson city, to name a few.