Hi Folks,
This petition is of paramount importance to me as I make my living from selling these banned knives to retailers across Alberta and BC. Besides the loss of income, this represents a significant imposition on individual's rights. Please, see below for more information!
THE PROBLEM? – In early January the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) upheld a CBSA seizure ruling against a manual opening “flipper” style knife. In this ruling they also mandated to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that they consider the following knives prohibited for import (classified as prohibited weapons): “ a. a knife has a blade that opens by centrifugal force, when the blade is released from the handle into the fully ejected and locked position with a simple and brisk outwardly flick of the wrist; and b. it includes knives that require some preliminary or simultaneous minimal manipulation of either a flipper or other non-edged parts of the blade.” According to multiple seizures by CBSA on multiple brands, they have deemed this to be practically any folding knife. See -
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicat...18-01-eng.html.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? – CBSA takes their direction from the CITT. Because the CITT has interpreted the criminal code erroneously, almost all folding knives are at risk of getting into the country – ALL BRANDS ARE IMPACTED. The Canadian Criminal Code does make mention of knives that cannot be imported (Automatics and butterfly knives – See section 84(1) of the Canadian Criminal Code)
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/a...9.html#docCont , but anyone we have spoken with (other brands, dealers, MP’s) believe that they never intended to classify folding blades. It is believed this is a bad misinterpretation of the Criminal Code legislation, resulting in poor regulatory change. As a result, any knife shipment coming into Canada that gets inspected by CBSA will be seized and not allowed into Canada, even though there is no issue with buying, selling or owning these type of tools.
WHO IS IMPACTED? – Anyone who wants or needs to purchase a folding knife for work (fisherman, hunters, EMT’s, ERT’s, Fireman, Police), as a daily tool (farmers, ranchers, forestry, retailers, warehouse personnel, or any industry where folding knives are used as tools). The knife industry, which includes manufacturers, distributors, retailers and end users is not only impacted by the ownership and use, but by the millions of dollars that go into the economy for the purchase of these every day tools, are at risk.
WHAT CAN I DO?
• Write, call or email your MP. Because this is a “regulatory change” (not a legislative one), MP’s can put pressure on the appropriate minister(s) to potentially have this change reversed.
• Sign, and have your customers, family and all folding knife users, also sign the HoC sponsored petition online that Edmonton South MP Matt Jeneroux has established – time is of the essence. Petition is located here -
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/P...etition=e-1552
Thanks very much for your time - have a great May Long Weekend!
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