Horse and Groom by Haydar Ali, early 16th century (Photo credit: mesosyn.com)

I converted a few pale lines in the post I published on 24 October 2014, into bold letters. I wanted to re-examine the logic of the text. I was able to see that the key to determining the cause of this week’s events in Ottawa was the source of the weapon. Once the police had determined the provenance of the weapon, they would have been able to establish, with complete certainty, whether or not the killer acted on behalf of Isil and to what extent Isis had penetrated Canada. It appears Mr. Zehaf-Bibeau acted alone.

Gun Control in Canada

Canada still has strict gun-control legislation, but under Prime Minister Steven Harper, the leader of the Conservative Party, changes were made to gun-control legislation. Canadians do not carry firearms, but persons who wish to do so no longer need to register their firearms. Martin Rouleau-Couture did not kill by gun, but Mr. Zehaf-Bibeau did.

Martin Rouleau-Couture

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/martin-couture-rouleau-hit-and-run-driver-arrested-by-rcmp-in-july-1.2807078

Therefore, if gun control was not a crucial issue in the forthcoming political campaign, it is now on the agenda. Mr. Zehaf-Bibeau killed by gun and, ironically, members of the Conservative Party, the Party that introduced less stringent gun-control legislation, were targeted. They barricaded the doors of the room in which they were working as gun shots could be heard. It seems they did not have a key or that they knew a key would not suffice.

I realize that this week’s events cannot be linked entirely to weapons. Mr. Zehaf-Bibeau wanted his passport. However, if the acquisition of firearms is untraceable and this matter impedes a thorough investigation, gun control may be a factor in the next political campaign. It has been ascertained that Mr. Zehaf-Bibeau wanted to fly to Syria and nothing suggests that he acted on behalf of Isis, yet knowing how and where he acquired his weapon would be useful.

At any rate, Tom Mulcair, the leader of the New Democratic Party, and Justin Trudeau, the leader of the Liberal Party, may have gained better chances of being elected into office. The fourth party, the Bloc québécois, lost its seats in the House of Commons in the Federal Election of 2011. However, Quebec has already opposed Ottawa’s decision.

http://www.vox.com/2014/10/24/7047547/canada-gun-law-us-comparison 

Canada’s Role in the Coalition

The role the United States has given itself as leader of the coalition fighting Isis will not be discussed. I am not in possession of all the facts concerning this issue. I believe, however, that although its contribution is minimal: “six CF18 fighter jets, two surveillance aircrafts, a refuelling plane and 600 personnel – but no ground troops[,]” for six months (The Montreal Gazette), it may be in Canada’s best interest to revisit its decision to provide anything more than humanitarian aid to the above-mentioned coalition. We put ourselves at risk and we may have paid the price. Moreover, the crisis in the Middle East may last for decades, or longer.

This has to be a very short post. A guest will be visiting, so I must make sure the apartment looks tidy.

The link below was inserted in my last post. I believe this post concludes the discussion on the killings that occurred this past week in our humble Canada.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Radio-Canada)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/should-the-west-stop-intervening-in-the-middle-east-1.2811177

 

Canada’s Political Parties

 

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Party_of_Canada (in power)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democratic_Party (the official opposition)
• http://www.liberal.ca/(part of the opposition)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloc_Qu%C3%A9b%C3%A9cois (no seats)

—ooo—

Maher Zain sings “For the Rest of my Life”

© Micheline Walker

26 October 2014

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