Dr. Ross was attacked by Allmand and Torsney about her allegation that the police chiefs were hiding behind the skirts of the coaltion. You might be interested in her written reply to the committe on this issue. Judith A. Ross, Ph.D. Fax 416 922-5854 May 10, 1995 Richard Dupuis The Clerk of the Standing Committee of Justice and Legal Affairs The Wellington Building #622 House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Re: Bill C-68 & Ontario Arms Collectors Association Submission to the Committee on Bill C-68 In my appearance before the Parliamentary Committee on Bill C-68 on behalf of the Ontario Arms Collectors Association on May 2, 1995 I was challenged by Mr. Warren Allmand, committee chair and by Ms. Patricia Torsney for comments which I had made in August, 1993 at a meeting of the Oakville Town Council. These comments had to do with the relationship between the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Coalition for Gun Control. Specifically, I had stated that the police were "hiding behind the skirts of the Coalition and that they had their own agenda which is to be the only ones with firearms". Mr. Allmand and Ms. Torsney accused me of making statements which I could not document. I replied to the effect that the tone of my comments indicated that they were a matter of opinion and that I would like to be able to provide actual documentation but that such a possibility seemed unlikely. As Mr. Allmand's and Ms. Torsney's manner in this exchange was extremely accusatorial and impugned my integrity, I would like to provide the committee with some further information which supports my comments about the connection between the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Coalition for Gun Control. Although this has nothing to do with the particular issues involved in Bill C-68, the attempt to attack me personally does necessitate a reply and, to whatever extent there is evidence of a connection between these two lobby groups which they apparently wish to deny it would certainly be important for the Committee to be aware of this. As reported by The Ottawa Citizen of August 30, 1994, "Ottawa's Police Services Board gave $20,000 to a lobby group, the Coalition for Gun Control". The article went on to say "the Coalition for Gun Control helps police by working to improve gun control legislation. That's an aim endorsed by Ottawa Police Chief Brian Ford and the board". The article indicated that the Coalition received $10,000 in 1993 and another $10,000 in 1994. Mr. Ford has also been quoted in promotional material distributed by the Coalition as praising their efforts to achieve stricter gun control. I understand that Ottawa Police Chief Brian Ford also directs the Law Review Committee for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. It is also a matter of public record that the Toronto Police Services Board gave at least $10,000 to the Coalition for Gun Control in 1994. In addition, at the time that the Toronto Police Services Board voted to make this donation to the Coalition they also endorsed a Metro-wide ban on privately owned handguns. This was reported by the Toronto Star of June 24, 1994. As reported by the Toronto Sun of June 24, 1994, "No one but cops should be allowed to have handguns in Metro, the Police Services Board voted yesterday." Very likely there are similar donations by other Police Services Boards which would likely be revealed by an examination of a list of supporters of the Coalition. (The Committee on Bill C-68 could certainly request this information from the Coalition when they testify.) I think it is fair to say that the relationship between Police Services Boards and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is not what could be described as "arm's length". That is, the Chiefs of Police for a municipality sit on the Police Services Board and are usually in a position of some influence on these Boards. In addition, these Chiefs are members of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. Certainly that is the case with former Ottawa Police Chief Brian Ford. It is no secret that the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police are supporters of the Coalition for Gun Control. The name of this organization appears at the top of the list of supporters on material which the Coalition produces. Information regarding direct financing of the Coalition by the Chiefs of Police should certainly be available from that organization when they appear before the Committee. (In fact, Mr. Allmand indicated to me that he would check up on my allegations by asking this question.) In considering the direct connection between various Police Services Boards and the Coalition, the direct connection between the Chiefs of Police and the Coalition, and the direct connection between the Police Services Boards and the Chiefs of Police, I wonder at the accusatory tone taken by Mr. Allmand and Ms. Torsney in questioning me about my 1993 statement. That statement indicated my belief that the Coalition was promoting a goal which they shared with the Chiefs of Police. I do not think that there is any doubt about the truth of this statement. It occurs to me that the sensitivity of Mr. Allmand and Ms. Torsney is quite inappropriate. These two organizations do share an agenda. The Chiefs have made public statements indicating their verbal support for the Coalition. Financial support has openly come from various Police Services Boards. Evidence of more direct financial support could presumably be obtained by questioning these two organizations but the connection between them is already apparent. It is interesting to consider why these two Members of Parliament felt this was such a significant point. In this regard, it is worth noting that Section 93 of Bill C-68 provides for a financial arrangement between the federal government and the provinces which would supposedly cover the extra police time that would be required for the administration of Bill C-68 such as registration of all firearms. The police will have extra operating funds which will not have to come from their municipal budgets. I think it is fair to wonder whether there may be some self-serving motives for the police in supporting this Bill. Is that why these MPs reacted so strongly to my somewhat colorful use of language in saying that "the police were hiding behind the skirts of the Coalition". Do they, in fact, have something to hide? In this regard, it is also interesting to consider the source of funding for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. The Public Accounts department of the federal government indicates that the Chiefs of Police receive a considerable amount of money from the federal government. It seems as though the federal government gives money to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Chiefs support the Coalition for Gun Control. Certainly there is reason to question the independence of both these organizations from the federal government. The attack on me by Mr. Allmand and Ms. Torsney over some dramatic language used almost two years ago make me wonder, all things considered, if there is more hiding behind the skirts of the Coalition than I had imagined. It would behoove this Committee to consider these matters. Sincerely, Judith Ross, Ph.D. Calvin Martin,QC,LLB 600 Church Street Toronto, Canada, M4Y 2E7 Tel 416 922-5854 Fax 416 922-5854 E-Mail dvc14@fox.nstn.ca