OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland wants to re-examine Canada’s legislation to join a global arms control treaty after criticism that it gave her too much power, says the Liberal head of the committee studying the bill. The House of Commons foreign affairs committee, which Nault chairs, is studying the bill, which would allow Canada to join the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty aimed at regulating the trade of a wide range of armaments from handguns to tanks. Peggy Mason, head of the Rideau Institute think tank, told the committee the bill gives too much discretion to the foreign affairs minister to approve arms exports. The government didn’t want to use its majority on committee to force passage of the bill, he added. Nault said he doesn’t believe the treaty contains any provision that would affect lawful gun ownership in Canada.

Source: National Post November 09, 2017 20:37 UTC