Scott Simms' vote

In recent days and weeks, much has been made of the fact that we haven't heard from Newfoundland Liberal MP Scott Simms on the issue of the long-gun registry. In fact, last we heard from him, in May, he was still thinking about things.

But in between May and now, tragedy struck Simms. His father, Reginald, took his own life -- with a long gun. Simms has indeed been quiet, but a lot of that has been because he's been dealing with the emotional fallout of his father's death. Our story is online now here.

This morning, he shared that story with his Liberal colleagues at caucus and as I hear it, there were many tears. Reportedly Ignatieff choked up when it was time to take the floor again and caucus members lined up to  embrace  Simms.

It makes all the games and the jeering and the attacks look pretty petty. We found out about the story and put it up online before the vote -- not in small part because the prospect of Simms being jeered in the Commons, when he changes his vote, was too ugly to contemplate. Our condolences and sympathy to Mr. Simms.

Comments

[Noah]

Thank you for the context on your decision to publish this story. My initial reaction was definitely a bit uncomfortable due to the private nature of Mr Simms' reasons for changing his vote, but sparing him the otherwise inevitable jeers and ridicule in the House is well worth publishing the story.

[Douglas]

Susan, you are one class act!

[bill]

Susan all I can say is wow, I can't believe you published a story that he said he did not want dealt with in the media. Lot of class!

[bob ward]

Susan
You have fallen for the old tried and true liberal debate technique
bring in a "victim" that you cannot possible debate without looking like a shoe.

great reporting keep up the great....er job

[ck]

I caught the vote live on CJAD this evening. Those Conservatives were heckling Scott Simms as he went to vote. Disgusting! And folks wonder why I think today's conservatives have no redeeming qualities! I guess I shouldn't be surprised though.

My sympathies to Scott Simms as well as Larry Bagnell, whose wife suffered a miscarriage.

[bettie]

That is a very sad story, and I do send him and his family my condolences. This must be one of the hardest things to face in life. Looking at it from a very far distance, one would think that Scott's father would be happy at the success of his son... but who knows the struggles of another human being.

I don't understand, however, how if the gun were registered or not would have prevented this tragedy.

[Eric Forsyth]

Nice try. This is the same Liberal bullsh*t that launched the registry in the first place. Thick headed Rock used the same emotional appeal 15 years ago to justify this Liberal sop and you've helped them to do it again. No wonder many Conservatives want to not only defeat the Liberal Party but to destroy it. Andrew Coyne has it right.

[MJH]

Liberals know that those persons contemplating suicide only use non registered guns. If all guns were registered suicides wouldn't happen.

[EF]

If he didn't vote against the "registry", I guess he'll be looking for a new "cushier" job... if he can find one!

[MJH]

People only use non registered guns to commit suicide. Very sad indeed.

[Krissy]

I cannot fathom how pray tell this has to do with the registry?

I get that the Liberals are your life-blood but for once seeing an honest discussion about the merits and faults (of which there are many) with the registry would be greatly appreciated rather than the typical press-releases which you normally release.

The death of Scott Simm's father is completely tragic and completely preventable. But not preventable by a gun registry, rather by strong family support and recognition of the signs that there was extreme emotional distress.

A registry would not have saved his life and your attempts to use this to justify the existence of the registry are disgusting.