Lack of Indigenous consultation showed ‘incoherence’ of failed firearm amendment: leaders

The Liberals withdrew assault-style firearm amendments to Bill C-21 last month following criticism that the wording would prohibit many commonly used hunting rifles and shotguns.

A House of Commons committee heard criticism, as well as some measured support, as Indigenous leaders testified Tuesday about Liberal efforts to outlaw assault-style firearms.

Chief Jessica Lazare of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake told MPs the realities of Indigenous people who take their firearms on trips to hunt for food are being overlooked due to lack of consultation.

Gwich’in Tribal Council Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik said he does not question the intent of the federal measures, but noted there is a clear requirement for engagement and consultation with Indigenous Peoples and, more broadly, Canadians at large.

The Liberals banned some 1,500 firearm models and variants, including the AR-15, through an order-in-council in May 2020, saying they have no place in sport shooting or hunting.

The government moved last November to build on the ban by enshrining an evergreen definition of assault-style firearms in gun-control legislation that also contains measures concerning handguns, licence revocations and smuggling operations.

The Liberals withdrew the assault-style firearm amendments last month following weeks of criticism from Conservative MPs and some gun advocates who said the wording would prohibit many commonly used hunting rifles and shotguns.

Lazare said Tuesday there was no recognition of the way existing prohibitions and licensing already limit the rights of her people, and no attempt made to help them determine which specifications or models need to be protected.

That lack of comprehensive consultation is evident in the “incoherence and inconsistency” of the bill, she said.