Montreal, QC -(AmmoLand.com)- A poll sponsored by Canada’s National Firearms Association shows that residents of High River, Alberta, still do not trust the RCMP to protect them and their property in the event of an emergency evacuation.
This is the fourth poll sponsored by Canada’s NFA that shows the public trust has been eroded by the actions of the RCMP when in 2013 they illegally seized firearms from residents’ homes that had been evacuated due to flooding.
The question, which was put to a sample of residents on September 6, asked “Knowing what you do now, if there were another emergency evacuation order in High River, as there was during the 2013 floods, would you trust the RCMP to protect your home and property?”
Thirty-nine percent (39%) said they would not trust the RCMP, seventeen percent (17%) said they were doubtful, and only forty-four (44%) said they would trust the RCMP.
“More than one-third (38%) of the sample have clearly lost their faith in the RCMP. That’s impressive!” says Gary Mauser, Professor Emeritus at the Beedie School of Business and the Institute for Urban Canadian Research Studies at Simon Fraser University. “And another 17% are doubtful. Less than half the sample trusts the RCMP.”
During the flooding members of the RCMP kicked in hundreds of doors, causing $2.3 million in damages to more than 2,000 homes. Entering these homes and illegally confiscating firearms led to a special investigation by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP.
The Commission’s final report found that “…the RCMP wrongly seized firearms which were safely stored. In addition, the Commission found that the RCMP failed to report the seizures to a justice as required by the Criminal Code.”
“Most significantly, in the context of public concern, the Commission found that, at the time, the RCMP lacked a comprehensive policy on emergency management. Similarly, ineffective public communications were found to be the result of inadequate policies, insufficient training, poor planning, under-resourcing and a lack of coordination.” – Final Report by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP.
“This is a serious problem that is not going away,” says NFA president Sheldon Clare. “The RCMP’s actions have caused residents of High River to lose trust, with some polls showing they wouldn’t answer an emergency evacuation – that’s a serious public safety issue that needs to be addressed immediately.”
“It’s up to the federal and provincial governments to restore their trust before the next flood or evacuation occurs.” Mr. Clare concluded.
Canada’s National Firearms Association is this country’s largest and most effective advocacy organization representing the interests of firearms owners and users.
Other polls sponsored by the NFA in regards to the illegal seizure of firearms in High River, Alberta:
- https://new.nfa.ca/media-release-poll-shows-half-of-high-river-residents-want-judicial-inquiry/
- https://new.nfa.ca/public-believes-police-actions-at-high-river-unnecessary-3/
- https://new.nfa.ca/poll-of-high-river-residents-shows-a-dismal-lack-of-trust-in-rcmp-2/
For more information contact:
Blair Hagen, Executive VP Communications, 604-753-8682 Blair@nfa.ca
Sheldon Clare, President, 250-981-1841 Sheldon@nfa.ca
En français:
Francis Tenta, ftenta@gmail.com
Canada’s NFA toll-free number: 1-877-818-0393
NFA Website: www.nfa.ca
About Canada’s National Firearms Association:
Canada’s National Firearms Association is this country’s largest and most effective advocacy organization representing the interests of firearms owners and users.
For more information, visit: www.nfa.ca.