Government House Leader John Baird has denounced Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP Leader Jack Layton as "Toronto elites" over their support for the federal long-gun registry.
His comments come as opposition parties signalled they have enough votes to defeat a Conservative backbencher's private member's bill to repeal the registry when the House of Commons returns next week.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Thursday ahead of the fall parliamentary session, Baird said NDP MPs who switch their votes will face retribution in their constituencies.
"I share the disappointment of many of my colleagues that people who had fought so long, so hard, so passionately against the registry are now feeling the pressure from the two Toronto leaders, Mr. Ignatieff and Mr. Layton," Baird said.
"We're all accountable. If we make clear and unambiguous promises in our constituencies and then face pressure from Toronto elites, (MPs are) accountable for that." ...........(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/09/16/hughes-ndp-gun-registry.html#ixzz0zjXJLO3a