|
April 18, 2021
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns statement on one year since the mass shooting in Nova Scotia
Members of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns join with other Canadians in grieving the loss of 22 Nova Scotians killed in the country’s largest mass shooting one year ago. We extend our sympathies to the families and all affected Nova Scotians, including all those who answered the call to service that day. An entire province was scarred, and the healing will take generations. It is clear there is much work to do to confront misogyny in our society.
The mass shooting was another wake-up call to our country. It moved the federal Liberal government to act on its promise to ban assault weapons. This decision will save lives in the future, as has been demonstrated in countries where similar bans have been implemented. We need to look only at the epidemic of gun violence in the United States – where there have been 22 mass shootings this month alone - for the consequences of not acting. Canada must guard against allowing the gun lobby to influence policies affecting public health and safety.
There is still more to do. We urge Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to move swiftly to fully implement Bill C-71 and to enhance Bill C-21 by listening to victim groups calling for a mandatory buyback of banned assault weapons, a national ban on handguns, and stronger protections for victims of gender-based violence. We also call on the government to establish a Canadian Firearm Research and Policy Centre with an annual reporting requirement.
But reducing gun violence is not limited to legislation - our organization advocates for a multi-pronged approach that includes addressing the social determinants of health – poverty, racism, and access to education, among others. Nor does it exclude other political leaders from the responsibility to act. The New Democratic Party must be more vocal in support of evidence-based policy to reduce the proliferation of guns. The Conservative Party of Erin O’Toole must withdraw its dangerous plan to repeal the ban on assault weapons and be guided by science, not self-interested lobby group.
We mourn the lives lost in Nova Scotia one year ago. We must do more to prevent further loss. Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns will work with all policy makers and stakeholders to implement evidence-based gun-violence prevention policy in Canada.
-30-
About Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is a grassroots organization concerned about the increasing public health impact of firearms. We represent physicians working in collaboration with nurses, paramedics, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, researchers and other front-line health care professionals. We have all witnessed first-hand the emotional and physical trauma and devastation caused by guns. CDPG calls for a comprehensive public policy response to this crisis in our communities, including preventative tools to reduce gun use and their consequences on youth violence, domestic abuse, and suicide.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting
For CDPG
416-996-0767 / christopherholcroft@hotmail.ca
Imperfect but comprehensive gun control legislation will save lives: Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns reacts to draft law
Toronto, February 16, 2021 – Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is welcoming the introduction of new gun control legislation by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair as important progress on a significant issue of public health. While the draft law leaves much work still to be done, the more than a dozen elements dealing with the many different aspects of gun violence make it worthy of CDPG’s support.
“This is a comprehensive bill that, if enacted, will save lives,” said Dr. Najma Ahmed, co-Chair of CDPG and trauma surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. "In particular, there are several less high-profile measures that mark important progress in the effort to change the culture on guns in Canada."
In addition to enshrining the historic May 1st Order-in-Council ban of more than 1,500 types of assault weapons, the bill includes new measures to discourage the proliferation of handguns, disarm hate, restrict magazine capacity, strengthen storage requirements, prevent the glorification of guns in advertising, and confront gun smuggling and straw purchasing.
“We are particularly pleased with the action taken on non-powder firearms (BB and pellet guns), a gateway gun that is a cause of injury in children,” said Dr. Kirstin Weerdenburg, CDPG executive member and Pediatric Emergency Physician at the IWK Health in Halifax.
CDPG remains concerned that the government has opted for a voluntary, rather than compulsory buyback program with regards to the assault weapons ban and that it has not pursued a national handgun ban as recommended by multiple stakeholders. The Committee process will afford an opportunity for further consideration. Additional details on the proposed “red flag” law are required, as the rapid removal of guns from people deemed a risk to themselves or others is a stated goal of the government and one CDPG shares.
"Doctors and other health care workers are close witnesses to the damage guns do – physically and psychologically - to their patients,” said Dr. Paola Fata, CDPG member and Director, Division of General Surgery, McGill University Health Center in Montreal. “The evidence is clear: restricting access to these weapons will reduce injury and death.”
Since forming nearly two years ago to the day, CDPG has urged policy makers to recognize the complexities of gun violence: 75% of gun deaths are suicide and guns are the most common reported means of killing women and girls. The organization has called for a comprehensive public policy approach, including addressing social determinants of gun violence such as poverty and racism.
“This is imperfect legislation but a very Canadian approach to addressing a complex issue," said Dr. Philip Berger, Senior Advisor to CDPG and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. "To make the further changes still necessary, the 80% of Canadians who support gun control need political parties other than the Liberals to step up and be accountable."
CDPG looks forward to ongoing dialogue with this and successive governments to make Canadians safer from gun violence.
-30-
About Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is a grassroots organization concerned about the increasing public health impact of firearms. We represent physicians working in collaboration with nurses, paramedics, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, researchers and other front-line health care professionals. We have all witnessed first-hand the emotional and physical trauma and devastation caused by guns. CDPG calls for a comprehensive public policy response to this crisis in our communities, including preventative tools to reduce gun use and their consequences on youth violence, domestic abuse, and suicide.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting
For CDPG
416-996-0767
christopherholcroft@hotmail.ca
October 20, 2020
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns announce new 4-year scholarship opportunity with mentorship for a young person affected by gun violence
Announcement part of National Day of Action call for federal government to invest in social determinants and implement a national ban on handguns
Toronto, October 20, 2020 – Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) announced a new scholarship for a young person affected by gun violence as part of its National Day of Action today. The 4-year scholarship provides $2,000 per year plus access to mentorship from some of the physicians, academics, and advocates with CDPG. The scholarship will be provided to a student of planning to attend a Canadian post-secondary institution in the fall of 2021.
“Offering opportunities for youth is a necessity to building a safe and just society,” said Dr. Najma Ahmed, trauma surgeon and co-founder, CDPG. We are proud to be presenting this scholarship, as well as a renewed advocacy push for governments to address social determinants that put young people at greater risk of gun violence.
The scholarship recipient may be someone who has been a victim of gun injury, or has had a family member injured or killed, or had a person close to them who was one of the many hundreds of Canadians who die by gun suicide each year. Details on the application process will be announced soon.
Concerned about the epidemic of gun violence in Canada and the added risks created by the COVID-19 pandemic, CDPG is holding its 2nd National Day of Action today. The centerpiece of the virtual event is a one-hour video featuring the latest Canadian and international research on gun violence prevention, powerful stories from survivors and families of victims along with health workers on the frontlines treating the injured, and inspiring calls to implement detailed policy proposals.
“There is clear medical research linking the presence of guns to heightened threats of femicide, suicide, and other forms of violence,” said Dr. Julie Maggi, psychiatrist and co-Chair, CDPG. “Conversely, measures to restrict access to guns can save lives. Yet gun restrictions must be one part of a comprehensive, preventative public health approach based on evidence. The federal government needs to move forward with a handgun ban that is national, implement a meaningful red flag law, and invest in social determinants such as poverty reduction and anti-racism measures.”
More details on the video and where to watch is available on our website at www.doctorsforprotectionfromguns.ca.
-30-
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting, for Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns
416-996-0767/ christopherholcroft@hotmail.ca
