Canada Report: Government plans to ban imports of handguns
The Canadian government is acting without the approval of Parliament to temporarily ban the import of handguns into the country.
The regulatory measure comes into effect in two weeks, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said.
It is a growing problem along with gun violence, he said.
Data shows Canada imported $26.4 million in pistols and revolvers in the first half of this year, mostly from the United States. That represents a 52% increase compared with the same period last year.
The plan is to continue with the ban until a permanent freeze is passed and comes into force.
It will prevent businesses from importing handguns with only a few exceptions and is similar to those in the legislation announced in May.
That proposed legislation features a national freeze on the importation, purchase, sale and transfer of handguns in Canada.
The government is acting on the authority it has through Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, who controls import and export permits.
There is also a program continuing to buy back banned weapons.
Gas prices at lowest level in 3 months
Canadian gas prices continue to fall, now at their lowest level in more than three months.
They dropped to $1.59 a liter ($6.04 a U.S. gallon) this weekend and after Ontario cut its taxes on July 1.
Gas price analysts say the price is going down with more oil and gas available on the world market, less demand and fears of a possible recession.
Demand for gasoline is down about 25% nationally in Canada.
In brief
• After several months of chaos at Canadian airports with flyers often waiting for hours to board, the key hotspot, the Toronto airport, is getting some new equipment. Toronto Pearson Airport now has 10 new eGates for customs and immigration declarations at Terminal 1. The self-serve gates are said to speed up processing. Delays and cancelations have been blamed on lack of staff and flyers lacking passport renewals and other key documents.
• Clayton Ruby, a renowned Canadian civil rights lawyer, has died at age 80 in Toronto. For four decades, he had taken on some of Canada’s high-profile cases. He is being remembered as a “dedicated advocate for human rights and a champion of the underdog.”
Facts and figures
• The Canadian dollar is lower at 77 U.S. cents while the U.S. dollar returns $1.29 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.
• The Bank of Canada’ key interest rate is steady at 2.5% while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 4.7%.
• Canadian stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto index down at 19,483 points while the TSX Venture index is higher at 657 points.
• The average price for gas in Canada is heading lower to $1.56 a liter or $5.92 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.
• Lotto Max: (Aug. 2) 4, 5, 15, 18, 22, 28 and 32; bonus 19. (July 29) 7, 14, 17, 18, 19, 23 and 41; bonus 16.
• Lotto 6/49: (Aug. 3) 10, 15, 24, 27, 42 and 46; bonus 36. (July 30) 9, 21, 22, 27, 35 and 47 bonus 31.
Regional briefs
• Residents and firefighters are getting some relief this weekend with rain and cooler temperatures helping to ease the forest fire situation in Western Canada. There are concerns about a predicted hot stretch coming in the next week to make matters worse again. There are 62 active wildfires burning in British Columbia and a hot, dry month ahead is forecast by the British Columbia Wildfire Service.
• The landmark and historic Old Marina Restaurant in Puslinch, Ontario, west of Toronto, has burned to the ground in an afternoon fire last weekend. Damage was estimated in the millions of dollars but there were no injuries reported. Two wedding receptions about to go ahead at the restaurant were able to find other last-minute facilities. The restaurant is down the road from singer Justin Bieber’s waterfront home and property.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Handgun imports will soon be banned in Canada
