OTTAWA – Today, New Democratic Leader Jack Layton called on Prime Minister Harper to stop interfering and let Canadians see the Canadian Firearms Program Evaluation report.  This report, completed in February evaluates the effectiveness of the Canadian firearms program, but has still not been released.

“This report was supposed to be tabled in May but the government claimed that it was still in translation,” said Layton. “There is no way it takes months to translate a report – they’re stalling for political purposes.”

Last week Chief Superintendent Marty Cheliak was removed from his position. Ironically, the Conservative government claimed that Supt. Cheliak was transferred because he needed French training and yet they have been unable to get such an important document translated and released publically.

“Canadians have strong feelings on the registry and New Democrats are calling on the Prime Minister to make sure all information is available,” Layton continued. “This country is divided and we need to bridge the gap between rural and urban Canadians. Harper is playing political games in order to fundraise for his party instead of trying to come up with solutions.”
 
“Real leadership means bringing communities together, not using this politically sensitive issue as a wedge to divide Canadians.”