Amid a media storm surrounding firearms and the commemoration of the greatest feminicide in the history of Canada, Carey Price confessed to knowing the existence of the Polytechnic massacre Montréal, contrary to what was announced Monday by the management of the Canadian.
“Despite an earlier statement, I was in fact aware of this tragedy. I have been a member of the Montreal community for 15 years and I understand the weight of this day within the community,” the goalkeeper wrote on his Instagram page. However, he maintained his position against the amendment to Bill C-21 on gun control.
Group CH president France Margaret Belanger said on Monday that Carey Price was “unaware” of the Dec. 6, 1989 massacre and was therefore unaware of the approaching anniversary, reported Radio-Canada. “When we saw his publication, we brought to his attention the reactions on this subject”, had written Mme Belanger.
The argument of ignorance has only ignited the powder of social networks.
“If you say you don’t know anything about Poly’s killing (although it’s unlikely, given the nature of the event) and the prank of the association you endorse, you keep yourself a little embarrassed and you stay in your goals, ”commented politician Camil Bouchard publicly on Facebook.
“When, in a society, where we kill women because they are women, we prefer to defend the right to own weapons because #notallmen rather than prioritizing equal security for all, there is a problem” wrote humorist Emilie Ouellette. “And Carey says he didn’t know about the Polytechnique event. This shows me how much a society fails to educate and raise awareness, but beyond that, you’ll notice that Carey doesn’t withdraw his opinion, now that he knows. He maintains it. »
Gun Control and Polytechnic
It all started on Saturday, when the star player of the Canadiens posted on his Instagram page a photo of him in camouflage clothing holding a shotgun, declaring himself against an amendment to Bill C-21 on firearms. The latter aims to ban certain high-powered weapons in Canada. The one who practices recreational hunting also said he supported the Canadian Coalition for Gun Rights (CCFR). The latter, however, has been criticized lately for his “disrespectful” marketing stunt approaching December 6: she encouraged her members to buy merchandise on her site with the promotional code “Poly”. Since then, the famous goalkeeper’s Instagram post has garnered more than 100,000 likes and the mention in support of the pro-gun organization is still visible.
Many expressed regret that this declaration comes a few days before the sad anniversary of the massacre of December 6, 1989, which claimed the lives of 14 women.
Survivor Nathalie Provost, spokesperson for PolySeSouvient, lamented Carey Price’s stance, which she says confuses thinking about firearms. ” It’s really sad. Because with his reputation — he is an important Canadian, many people have confidence in him — unfortunately, as he presents his position in a very general way, without explaining the nuances, it leads to a lot of confusion in a debate which is already very sensitive, ”she said Monday at the microphone of Benoît Dutrizac at QUB radio.
The content of the bill has been at the heart of requests from Polytechnique survivors since January 1990, explained Ms.me Provost. “We are asking that assault weapons be completely banned in Canada. We are not against hunting weapons, but for better control. Weapons covered by the definition are not reasonably intended for hunting. »
In fact, the shotgun Carey Price is holding in his photo will remain legal after Bill C-21 is passed, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said Monday.
Price maintains his position
However, on this subject, the goalkeeper of the Montreal Canadiens still maintains his position. On Monday evening, he moreover shared on Twitter a statement to the effect: “I continue to stand with my fellow hunters and sport shooters who have legally acquired their property and are using it safely. »
Several of his admirers let him know their disappointment. “Carey, until all of this happened, I thought a lot about you. It’s too much. If you want to own guns, then own guns. If you want to hunt, hunt. No one is trying to stop you. But if you need semi-automatic weapons to hunt, maybe you need a new hobby! commented one of them.
Carey Price, however, acknowledges that the timing of the release was not ideal and apologized in his statement Monday morning. “Amplifying any conversation about guns this week may have upset some of those most affected by the events of 1989, and I apologize to them. »