GUN REGISTRY JOB LOSSES WOULDN'T FRET TORY MP

GUN REGISTRY JOB LOSSES WOULDN'T FRET TORY MP
Date: Feb 17, 2006 11:19 AM
PUBLICATION: The Winnipeg Sun
DATE: 2006.02.17
EDITION: Final
SECTION: News
PAGE: 8
ILLUSTRATION: photo by JIM YOUNG Reuters Dauphin MP Mark is keen to see
the controversial firearms registry gone.
BYLINE: JOYANNE PURSAGA, STAFF REPORTER
WORD COUNT: 198

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MARK'S DOSE OF REALITY
GUN REGISTRY JOB LOSSES WOULDN'T FRET TORY MP

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Manitoba Tory MP Inky Mark has taken aim at the federal gun registry.

But he's under fire from some New Brunswick politicians who are bothered
by his reaction to the fact scrapping the agency would slash more than
100 jobs in an economically depressed community.

Mark, who represents Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette, doled out a press
release praising his party's plan to quash the infamous organization
this week.

In a Sun interview following that publication, he said terminating the
"financial black hole" trumped employment concerns.

"People go into and leave jobs daily in this country. To me, it's no big
deal," said Mark. "Staffers on the Hill come and go regularly. No one
owes us a job."

Mark added employment insurance is in place to support Canadians.

As of 2004, the gun registry employed 158 public servants at its
headquarters in Miramichi, N.B., and another 124 staff in Ottawa.

The maritime town has a population of about 18,500 people and a regional
unemployment rate around 25%, said Miramichi Mayor John McKay.

Eastern alienation

He said Mark's comments will fuel eastern alienation.

"It's a misunderstanding," said McKay. "He should come down here
and
talk to these people face to face and tell them he's suggesting they
just be put on the street through no fault of their own."

McKay said the government office is a significant staple of the
Miramichi economy.

The office was initially placed in the community to help its economy
grow.

The gun registry has triggered conflict for years. Its critics,
including Justice Minister Vic Toews, say the program is pricey and
ineffective.

The registry's cost reached $2 billion in 2004 and it cost roughly $100
million to run during that year alone. Taxpayers were initially expected
to pay about $2 million.