Nathalie Provost, a survivor of the Polytechnique massacre and spokesperson for the group PolySeSouvient, finds it “incredibly disrespectful” that opponents of gun control have used the promo code “poly” to offer discounts on the online sale of derivative products.
The Canadian Coalition for Gun Rights’ online store until recently offered customers who used the promo code “poly” 10% off clothing, mugs and other items bearing its logo.
Thirty-three years ago, on December 6, 1989, in Montreal, a gunman murdered 14 women at “Poly” because they were women.
Nathalie Provost, who was shot four times that night, is now the spokesperson for PolySeSouvient, a group of École Polytechnique graduates and students who are pushing for stricter gun control in Canada. .
Ms. Provost believes that it is not surprising that the coalition made this promotion so close to the anniversary of the Polytechnique tragedy, next Tuesday, given that this organization qualifies the massacre as an anomaly which does not justify modifying gun laws.
Tracey Wilson, spokesperson for the Canadian Coalition for Gun Rights, argued that the promotion did not refer to the tragedy, but rather to PolySeSouvient’s Twitter account, which allegedly called her organization’s supporters gun trolls. .
“We want a reduction in crime, violence and gun smuggling — they want a reduction in legal gun ownership,” Ms. Wilson explained.
Liberal Bill
Ms. Provost recalled that federal deputies were currently studying a bill which provides, in particular, for enshrining in legislation the definition of prohibited “assault-type firearms”, a ban for which the organization has been fighting for 33 year.
The Coalition for Gun Rights and Conservative MPs called the Liberal government’s move an attack on licensed, law-abiding gun owners.
The coalition said this week that the Liberal government’s ultimate goal is to ban all ordinary citizens in Canada from owning a firearm.
Asked about the coalition’s “promo code” on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted his government’s initiatives to tighten gun control in the country.
“Unfortunately, we see the gun lobby working with the Conservative Party of Canada to spread misinformation, use fear, sow division by trying to mislead Canadians,” Trudeau said during a briefing. event in British Columbia.
“While we will always respect the rights of law-abiding hunters and farmers to use shotguns and rifles, some weapons have no place in our communities, anywhere in Canada. »