PUBLICATION:          Vancouver Sun

DATE:                         2003.03.21

EDITION:                    Final

SECTION:                  Editorial

PAGE:                         A18

SOURCE:                   Vancouver Sun

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Gun registry bungling continues

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Not even the Keystone Cops could have bungled the federal firearms registry as badly as the Chretien government. Now, with a House of Commons vote to provide additional funds for the registry scheduled for Tuesday, Liberals are expected to throw another good $59 million after the bad. Of course, $59 million is just a drop in the bucket when you consider the registry, initially estimated in 1995 to cost taxpayers $2 million, is projected to tote up a tab of $1 billion by 2005.

Auditor-general Sheila Fraser revealed the out-of-control numbers last December, chastising the government for keeping Parliament in the dark about the costs. Immediately after Ms. Fraser's report, Liberal MPs re-examined their commitment to the registry and voted unanimously to reject a $72-million request for more cash.

But several months have passed and Liberals may believe that taxpayers have forgotten about the controversy. Justice Minister Martin Cauchon once again is returning to the Commons cap in hand. And Prime Minister Jean Chretien this week warned his caucus members they must okay the additional spending. Otherwise they'll risk expulsion from caucus or the triggering of an election.

This tiresome bullying by the prime minister is insulting not only to MPs but also to Canadians who rely on their politicians to scrutinize the spending of their tax dollars -- without a gun being held to their heads. In no way can a vote on supplementary spending estimates be interpreted as a matter of confidence in the federal government.

Several independent-minded backbenchers stepped forward following Mr. Chretien's threats, declaring an intention to abstain or vote against further disbursements. They base their opposition on the fact that the justice department has provided no new information to Parliament indicating the government has regained control over the expensive program. The firearms registry has yet to prove its worth to Canadians.

It is the height of irresponsibility and arrogance for Ottawa to spend another dime on this endeavour until it can be clearly demonstrated first, that the registry will be of real benefit, and second, that its costs have been brought under tight control.