Hill Calls For Increased Funding To RCMP In B.C.

December 7, 1998

OTTAWA — Today in the House of Commons, Jay Hill, Deputy Whip for the Official Opposition, questioned the government again on the issue of gun control and the strain it has imposed on the RCMP’s already tight resources.

"Gun owners in my riding continue to question the stupidity of the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent to register the firearms of peaceful, law-abiding Canadians while the RCMP drastically cuts back due to lack of funds." said Hill.

Hill has expressed previous concerns regarding this issue, especially with regards to RCMP funding in rural northern B.C.:

"This is not the first time I’ve brought this issue to the House. I have met with dozens of front line police officers, and they all acknowledge the same thing: that there will be an increased security risk to British Columbians and indeed to their own personal safety because of the lack of adequate funding."

"The gun control issue is and will continue to be a great source of concern to me as long as my constituents feel their personal safety is being compromised due to the short sightedness of the government. When will they stop going after legitimate firearms owners and start tackling the source of the problem — those who misuse guns for criminal acts?"