Gun registry, bad. Kayak registry, good?

Hypocrisy, thy name is the Harper Party.

The Transport Canada regulations, brought in last fall, will require everyone from professional outfitters to people leading recreational boat trips to fill out five separate forms, measure their boat and pay a $50 fee.

Wow. If the long gun registry is rarely used, a waste of money, and an infringement on our "rights" to do whatever we want; what would that make the Vessel Registration Office and the Pleasure Craft Licensing system?

But just before you are going to write an angry letter to Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transportation, telling him he's the worst kind of hypocrite; it should be known that he has a parry for your thrust:

It's unclear how the policy came into place. Strahl's office blamed a Liberal Party policy put in place around 10 years ago.

Oh no, you di'int!

Oh yes, he di'id. You see, while all this red tape might be bad, or ideologically inconsistent, or stupid or whatever you want to call it -- it's not the Harper Party's fault! The Liberals put all this in place so you should be mad at them. Chucky is just the policy messenger. He's just doing his job. After all, who has heard of a government reversing policies enacted by their predecessor because it didn't jive with their ideological framework? His hands, along with Harper's, are tied to implementing the the Vessel Registration Office and the Pleasure Craft Licensing system for the safety of Canadians.

The kind of safety that assures you -- the taxpayer -- can go to sleep easy knowing that the government knows exactly where every boat floats. Just look at the list of procedures a kayaker needs to complete in order to register and license their recreational water vehicle.

1. Complete the Application for Registry and submit it along with the other completed documentation to the Registrar at the Vessel Registration Office at the address below.
2. Produce evidence of ownership/title to the Registrar of Vessels. If the original document of title (e.g. Bill of Sale/receipt, Builder's Certificate or other documentation) that proves you own the vessel cannot be produced, you must complete a declaration. You must also complete the Declaration of Ownership form.
3. Complete a Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration to prove your eligibility to be registered as owner of the canoe or kayak.
4. Complete the Authorized Representative form. It lets Transport Canada know who to contact if the canoe/kayak is owned by a business or multiple owners. If you are the sole owner you must still complete this form.
5. Complete the Simplified Method of Tonnage Measurement form. We have provided two sample documents to help figure out the tonnage measurement for canoes and kayaks. Adjust the measurement numbers for your particular boat. Sample document A - Sample Document B .
6. Pay the fee of $50.00 for the issuance or renewal of a registration or a $50.00 flat fee for a “fleet” of vessels. Fees are payable by Visa, Mastercard or AMEX. A Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register) is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue.
7. If you are choosing to pay by cheque/money order, it is to be made payable to the RECEIVER GENERAL FOR CANADA.

They know the size of your boat. The depth of it's hull. They know if you are registered to operate that boat. They know if anyone else in your family is registered to operate that boat. And lastly, they know exactly where you live. So at any time, day or night, a federal agent or a cop can show up at your door with reasonable cause and ask you to provide proof that you are in fact the owner and operator of said water craft. And you have to comply!

They make you pay a fee. And fill out forms. And all of this is done for your safety, Canada. And all of this is being implemented by Chuck Strahl and the Harper Party. Believe them when they say that the the Vessel Registration Office and the Pleasure Craft Licensing system is a useful tool for emergency response and your well being.

Unlike that other registry. Whom Chuck Strahl stood up and voted to kill on September 22, 2010 on the grounds that it doesn't save lives.