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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?” The three other major national parties all support new gun control measures with the Liberal Party offering most comprehensive approach
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) is warning that Andrew Scheer’s Conservative Party plan to move backwards on gun control will endanger public health. The organization is also concerned about the political company that Mr. Scheer keeps. Rod Giltaca, CEO of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR), acknowledged in a Reddit Ask Me Anything session on October 12th that the organization has “had great discussions” with the Conservative Party and “are in somewhat agreement with us that any regulation that doesn't have a demonstrable effect on public safety should be looked at very seriously”. The CCFR calls for open and concealed carry of firearms in public, stand your ground laws, and eliminating prohibition of guns. Like the CCFR, the Conservative Party is refusing to place new restrictions on access to guns and is promising to repeal Bill C-71, legislation that improves background checks, among other modest changes. Dear Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer, Jagmeet Singh, Elizabeth May, Yves-François Blanchet:
Canada is a country of reason and civility, peace and the common good. When it comes to creating public policy on guns, governments must weigh private privilege and industry profit against the far greater importance of public health and community well-being. Signatories to letter support campaign of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns and denounce gun lobby rhetoric
Toronto, October 9, 2019 – Canadian authors Margaret Atwood, Charlotte Gray, Michael Ondaatje, and Dr. Vincent Lam, as well as former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson are among the signatories of an open letter to party leaders being released today backing Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns’ campaign for a ban on assault weapons and handguns. With the federal election less than two weeks away, the intervention of nearly 20 prominent writers adds to a growing public demand for Canada’s next government to stand up to the gun lobby and implement significant new gun control measures. From the letter, the full text of which can be found below: Group also releases extensive new reference list backing call for stronger gun laws
Toronto, October 2, 2019 – Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns is launching a new national advertising campaign to warn Canadians that the proliferation of semi-automatic guns in this country represents a public health threat – www.notbulletproof.ca/ www.paspareballes.ca. Over the past 15 years the number of semi-automatic weapons in Canada has grown dramatically and it Is now time for political leaders to act. “The evidence is incontrovertible: restricting access to guns, including semi-automatic weapons, will make our communities safer,” said Dr, Najma Ahmed, trauma surgeon and co-founder of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns. “One need only look to the United States to see the drastic consequences of failing to keep these weapons out of our communities.” Group calls on all political parties to endorse stronger gun laws and denounce NRA-style rhetoric and tactics of the gun lobby
Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns welcomes the Liberal Party’s campaign platform announcement today, particularly the proposal to ban assault weapons. The evidence clearly shows restricting access to guns, and assault weapons in particular, reduces injury and death by firearm. In response to news that an upcoming report from Corporate Knights will reveal the Canadian Pension Plan includes holdings in American handgun and assault weapon manufacturers, Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns is calling on the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) to end these relationships. As the CPPIB regards "responsible investing simply as intelligent long-term investing" it must take immediate steps to divest from the big gun industry. An industry that profits from injury and death and fear and weak gun laws do not meet the definition of responsible investing.
Toronto, ON, June 19, 2019 – Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take decisive action to protect the health and well-being of Canadians following a chaotic shooting incident in Toronto that for many, marred a tremendous public celebration of the Toronto Raptors championship basketball team. Doctors and other health care workers at the downtown Toronto hospital nearest the shooting treated not only the direct victims of gunfire, but injured children, pregnant women in distress, and those suffering from emotional shock.
“Monday’s near mass tragedy is a direct result of the proliferation of guns in our society,” said Dr. Najma Ahmed, co-Chair of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns and a trauma surgeon at St, Michael’s Hospital. “The Prime Minister needs to act now on handguns and assault weapons before another event happens.” Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns welcomes the passing of Bill C-71 by Senators this evening. This is legislation that will make our families and our communities safer. Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms, is supported by clear and compelling evidence linking restrictions on access to guns with improved public health outcomes.
We wish to thank the Bill’s sponsor in the Senate, Senator Andre Pratte, and Ministers Ralph Goodale and Bill Blair for their advocacy for this legislation. There is widespread support for Bill C-71 within the medical community. A dozen prominent medical associations have endorsed our call for stronger gun laws. More than 1,000 health professionals and medical students in 16 cities participated in a National Day of Action on April 3rd in support of Bill C-71 and a ban on assault weapons and handguns. The Bill is also supported by a large majority of Canadians according to a Leger opinion poll from April 26th. |
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