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Lame. _gindh © a aaiiaiaad. 1 i onl A TH 1 EH HE. yr I I HN HI pre eH mr TAT NT NT IPR ee SS SS NPN NR Se _-- 2- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 29, 1995 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Locals speak out on gun legislation From Page 1 "The people of Canada don't realize what they're getting into. And Mr. (Jus- tice Minister Alan) Rock doesn't realize what he's gettinginto." Sen. Dininni, who ad- mitted he is opposed to possession of firearms by anyone other than the po- lice and the military, said he has a number of con- cerns regarding the legis- lation, which calls for a registry for all guns in the country and stiffer penal- ties for those convicted of crimes involving guns, among other measures. He said intensive lobby- ing has him leaning to- ward opposing the bill, which will be the subject of Senate committee hear- ings this fall. Primary among his con- cerns is a feeling the new law isn't tough enough on criminals. He also ques- tions how registering eve- ry firearm in the nation will fight crime. "I have a personal opin- ion which is extreme and unreasonable: I believe guns should be in the hands of the police and the military, and that's it," said Sen. Dininni. However, "It's not my opinion that is important. nm Jelly NW CHRISTIE My role, and the role of my colleagucs, is to listen and keep an open mind, and to represent the best inter- ests of the people we serve." He predicted splits in both Conservative and Liberal caucuses on the is- sue, adding that sentenc- ing provisions will prob- ably come under the most scrutiny. "I think the carriage of a weapon should have a very severe penalty at- tached," he said. "I don't think Alan Rock in his legislation has gone far enough in punishing those who are responsible for the problem." Also joining the debate was John Williams, a Port Perry gun shop owner and outspoken critic of the bill. He predicted serious in- fringements of rights un- der the bill, which would automatically outlaw more than half of the hand guns which are currently kept legally by Canadians, and give police sweeping powers of search and sei- zure. Mr. Williams called par- liamentary hearings on the legislation "a complete and total farce" and said the Senate should allot as much time as is deemed Stock up on everyones favourites for Back-To-School lunches that are sure to please! JOS LOUIS OR PASSION COOKIES Selected Varieties, 400 - 450g BAG, or Caramel, Assorted Varieties 354g BOX 1.99 WITH COUPON Senator Con Dininni was in Port Perry last Wednesday, where he spoke to the local Rotary Club. He faced a number of questions on gun leg- Islation and senate reform. necessary to hear all argu- ments on the issue before forwarding recommenda- tions for amendments to MPs. "I really hope the Senate does its job and looks into this in a non-partisan way," he said. Senator Dininni said all participants will have their day before the com- mittee. "We are committed to listening to all of the peo- ple who have a meaningful contribution to make to this debate," he said. 1.49 WITH COUPON Regular, Dininni calls for 'depoliticization' of the Senate Canada's Senate ought to be preserved, but it's due for a major overhaul, a member of the chamber told Port Perry's Rotary Club last week. Sen. Con Dininni said Wednesday night that the Senate should lose its partisan nature and concen- trate on serious examination of government legis- lation in continuing its tradition as a forum for "sober second thought" on government bills. "The Senate is a body that takes its job very seriously," he said, refuting wide-held opinions of the institutions as a pastoral reward for government troops. "It's been responsible for some very fine legisla- tion that has come out of the Commons in the last several years." That said, there is a clear need for revisions to the way in which the Senate is staffed and conducts its business, he added. Sen. Dininni suggested appointing senators to the chamber by way of an approval process governed by non-partisan overseers, as opposed to the current patronage-laden method of appointment by the Prime Minister. | And he recommended making appointments on a short-term basis of five, seven or 10 years as opposed to the current postings that entitle Senators to sit until age 75. He said "de-politicizing" the Senate would make it an effective, accountable chamber for review of legislation. "The institution, I think, is a very valuable insti- tution," said Sen. Dininni. "There's a tremendous role it can play in making recommendations to the parliament of Canada... but you've got to take away the political aspect of it." CREME FILLED DONUTS Assorted Varieties 8 or Old Fashioned Cake Donuts, PKG. of 6 1.69 V/ 7, Ee Port Perry IGA ET I ET TR IE...