Relaxed gun rules for foreign police.

This is another example of deep integration through harmonising our rules with those of the US. It is done on the quiet. It is interesting that Bush appointee and former ambassador Paul Celucci is sought out for commentary. He was notorious for his obnoxious remarks as amabassador. Here is an example.

Sent to a meeting of Canadian businessmen (the Bush White House is always more comfortable in the company of businessmen), Celucci excoriated the Chretien government for its position on the US-Iraq war (let us please call it what it actually is), and, curiously, called on Chretien to "muzzle" the Canadian press.

There is no need to muzzle the Canadian press since most of the time it is sleeping anyway. Just let sleeping dogs lie while things are quietly changed.


Relaxed gun rules eyed for foreign police here
Jun 26, 2007 04:30 AM
OTTAWA–The federal government is quietly proposing to relax rules for foreign law enforcement officers who carry weapons into Canada, CTV News reported last night.

The network reported that the proposal was posted on the government's official publication, the Canada Gazette.

The posting says, "In a reciprocal agreement with the U.S., the regulation would exempt officers – including police and air marshals – from a `foreign state' from having to obtain permits for sidearms."

The major benefit of the proposal would be that both domestic and foreign officers could enter and exit Canada with their weapons – without the requirement of an import and export permit.

CTV says critics of the plan argue that it could have wider implications for sovereignty and gun control in the country. Canadian government officials would not comment on the report.

Among the critics is NDP MP Joe Comartin, who says the plan would give "carte blanche'' to foreign police officers. The plan was also criticized by Dan McTeague, Liberal MP and opposition critic for consular affairs.

But the network quoted Paul Celucci, former U.S. ambassador to Canada, as saying the regulation would make the border safer. That view, it said, is shared by Canadian Police Association President Tony Cannavino, who says it will make it simpler for police to investigate cross border crime.