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The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality
[email protected] Dear Minister Monsef, With Canada set to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women December 6th – an event created to recognize the victims of the École Polytechnique mass shooting – I am writing to urge you and your government to take action on stronger gun laws. As we know, gun violence prevention is a gender issue. Consider the following: the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability notes that in 2019, guns were the most common reported means of the killing of women and girls; and the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime has specifically urged policy makers to take into consideration the link between firearms and gender-based violence.
Concerned about the epidemic of gun violence in Canada and the added risks created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) planned a 2nd National Day of Action on October 20th 2020. The centerpiece of the virtual event was this 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.
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. Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is very pleased with the federal Liberal government’s decision to ban a large number of military-style assault weapons; policy that is supported by substantial scientific evidence from around the world. After many difficult weeks of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, and following the devastating mass shooting in Nova Scotia, today is a good day for public health and a hopeful day for Canada.
By banning the sale of guns previously used in mass shootings in Canada and commonly used in such events in the United States, the government is joining the ranks of countries that have responded with more than just thoughts and prayers after horrific tragedies, including New Zealand last year and Australia in 1996. In fact, in the 18 years before Australia enacted its 1997 assault weapons ban, there were 13 mass shootings resulting in 104 deaths and 52 injuries. From 1997 until June 2019 there were no mass fatal shootings. Even the United States, which had a similar ban in place from 1994-2004, witnessed a 25% reduction in mass shootings and 40% fewer fatalities. Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) marked one year since its launch with an event in Toronto today to release a new booklet of reflections by physicians and other health professionals on treating victims of guns. Selected stories were read by prominent authors including former Governor General the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and Giller Prize winner Dr. Vincent Lam.
CDPG 1 Year Later: New Stories from the Frontlines and a Cri de Coeur for Change contains more than 25 first-person accounts from across the country highlighting the numerous tragic consequences of gunshot wounds on victims and their families. Stories of gun homicide, suicide, femicide, accidental shootings of children, rehabilitation and treatment of gun injury, and psychological trauma on victims, survivors, families, health workers, and communities are told with searing reality and an urgent call for change. Every story is a cautionary tale of the risks posed by the proliferation of guns in our communities. Hon. Bill Blair
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Sent via e-mail to [email protected] Dear Minister Blair, On behalf of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG), PolySeSouvient, the Coalition for Gun Control, and Danforth Families for Safe Communities, we are writing to you in deep sorrow. Like all Canadians, we grieve with the families and communities affected by the mass shooting in Nova Scotia on the weekend. With health workers, policy makers, and all Canadians focused on the COVID-19 crisis and efforts to keep patients, communities, and families safe, it is indeed tragically unfortunate that attention must be briefly directed to another issue, but the consequences of gun violence are not constrained by a virus: firearms remain a serious public health concern, even during a pandemic. As Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) stands in solidarity with the Muslim community, Quebecers, and all Canadians affected on the third anniversary of the mass shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, the organization calls on Bill Blair to ban the sale of semi-automatic assault weapons without delay.
The tragedy three years ago was the result of a toxic mix of hate and deadly weapons. It led to horrific loss of life and unthinkable trauma for the survivors and victims’ families left behind. We all mourn this result. As Canadians mark the sombre fourth anniversary of the mass shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) expresses solidarity with the affected families, the Muslim community, all Quebecers and Canadians. We continue to mourn the horrible loss of life and are saddened by the unthinkable trauma faced by survivors and the families of the victims.
As we were tragically reminded that day, the combination of hate and guns is a toxic mix – and continues to be a threat to the public health and well-being of Canadians. The recent political violence in the United States underscores the scope of the threat. It is incumbent on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair to act with urgency. Words are not enough, action is needed. Members of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is joining other Canadians in marking the 30th anniversary of the killing of 14 women and the injuring of 14 more in the shooting at École Polytechnique in Montreal. As evidenced by the stories being told over the past several days, this is a tragedy that affected individuals and a community. It haunts victims and families, first responders and journalists, advocates and citizens.
Gender-based violence and misogyny continue to plague our society, and shootings are the most common method used in the killing of women and girls. In fact, a gun in the home increases the risk of femicide. Canadians who may be at risk, and those wishing to learn more about these issues, are encouraged to speak with their physician. Groups urge all political leaders to denounce offensive comments
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG), the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, PolyRemembers/PolySeSouvient, Danforth Families for Safe Communities, and the Coalition for Gun Control are calling on Canadian gun lobby groups to stop its increasingly inflammatory rhetoric for the good of our democracy. The organizations are deeply concerned that reckless statements infused with violent imagery coming from gun industry and gun “rights” groups could pose a threat to ensuring a safe election day for all Canadians. The latest vituperation was revealed in a recent statement by the Canadian Shooting Sports Association that asked: “What is an acceptable death toll for Trudeau’s Liberal Government?”, and “Minister Blair, how many Canadians are you willing to kill and injure in order to collect their guns?” |
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