(OTTAWA) The first Friday in June of each year will henceforth be proclaimed the “National Day Against Gun Violence,” the federal government announced Thursday.
Celebrated for the first time on Friday, this day will honor the victims of gun violence, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during the official announcement.
“It’s going to be a day to remember the victims and a day to raise awareness,” Trudeau said as he spoke at the Toronto Raptors training ground.
In front of members of organizations that fight against gun violence, the Prime Minister said that the country must stop being confronted with deadly shootings, such as the one that took place last weekend in Hamilton, Ontario.
“It has to stop,” Mr. Trudeau hammered, referring to the incident in which a disgruntled landlord shot and killed the two tenants in their twenties to whom he was renting his basement last Saturday.
The Prime Minister then put forward certain measures taken by his government to reduce the circulation of firearms in the country.
Our government has banned over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms, including the Ruger Mini-14, which was used at Polytechnique, and the AR-15.
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
He also recalled that Ottawa has expanded criminal background check processes and toughened penalties for people who commit firearms offenses, including smuggling.
Thursday’s announcement came as the Senate considers a government bill that would tighten restrictions on handguns, increase penalties for gun smuggling, try to limit homemade ghost guns and ban assault weapons.
The Conservatives opposed the bill in the House of Commons, saying it penalized law-abiding gun owners more than real criminals.
The government has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in community programs aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, as well as deterring young people from becoming involved in crime.
“We are here to work with you on National Day Against Gun Violence, because every Canadian should have the freedom to go to the grocery store, school or church without be afraid,” said Mr. Trudeau.