Wikipedia:Dispute resolution noticeboard/Canada

Canada


17 July 2013

Have you discussed this on a talk page?

Yes, I have discussed this issue on a talk page already.

Location of dispute Users involved Dispute overview

In the article on "Canada" under Section 7 titled "Culture," 'strict gun control' is listed and considered a Canadian cultural value. I and many others believe this is a false statement and politically motivated. An issue that is both modern and controversial cannot be held as a cultural value and should be removed from the article. The parties that disagree continue to demand their references be re-read, while ignoring provided references that disagree with their opinions. The conversation is going in circles.

The article is also protected making it difficult to edit without agreement.

Have you tried to resolve this previously?

Only discussion in the Talk area of the article.

How do you think we can help?

Hopefully, by providing a fair and objective analysis of the references and facts provided in the Talk section (Talk:Canada 'Culture section and strict gun control'). A decision needs to be made on whether gun control is or is not a Canadian cultural value.

Please limit to 2000 characters - longer statements may be deleted in their entirety or asked to be shortened. This is so a volunteer can review the dispute in a timely manner. Thanks.
 * Opening comments by Moxy
 * All is sourced. Out of the 196 countries in the world today - Canada does have strick gun control...some countries have stronger controls but overall Canada does have though controls ,,,as sourced .see Talk:Culture of Canada. Moxy (talk) 14:49, 18 July 2013 (UTC)

The point in the article that Canada holds "strict gun control" as a cultural value was only referenced by one source. Having read that source I don't believe it backs up the "cultural value" claim. Further I provided several sources to the contrary. Whether or not Canada's gun control laws are "strict" was also argued with the "strict" side only comparing Canada to the US while I and others argued it is not so strict compared to many other western nations. However, whether Canada's current gun control is strict or not is not the issue of the talking point. The issue remains is "strict gun control" a Canadian cultural value or a political issue. To that point the argument comes down to the article author's one reference versus my four, and I don't just mean 1 vs 4 but the quality of the references as well. To be blunt, this reference on that point is very weak. In that reference gun control is only mentioned in passing in a chapter on health care. Here is that passage:
 * Opening comments by Mccomber
 * Canadians are often confused with Americans when they travel the world, and the two countries have far more similarities than differences. But if there is one difference that Canadians cherish, it is the two countries' approaches to health care.  It is not an exaggeration to say that, with the possible exceptions of gun control and foreign policy, no issue differentiates the social philosophies of Canada and the United States the way health care does.

Mccomber (talk) 10:56, 17 July 2013 (UTC)

It's my understanding that in relation to our southern neighbours, our gun laws are very restrictive, however it may be that it's not as restrictive as in other nations. I think that the section should be addressed in neutral, referenced terms. Since I don't have either, I will recuse myself from this discussion. Walter Görlitz (talk) 01:19, 17 July 2013 (UTC)
 * Opening comments by Walter Görlitz

Please limit to 2000 characters - longer statements may be deleted in their entirety or asked to be shortened. This is so a volunteer can review the dispute in a timely manner. Thanks.
 * Opening comments by Max Freddy

Please limit to 2000 characters - longer statements may be deleted in their entirety or asked to be shortened. This is so a volunteer can review the dispute in a timely manner. Thanks.
 * Opening comments by Dbrodbeck

NOTE: I have been busy and could not begin to work on my comments until today. Since this section has already been closed, I will look back at the article's talk page. I will say that I am surprised this dispute is still ongoing.  Taroaldo   ✉  03:40, 22 July 2013 (UTC)
 * Opening comments by Taroaldo

The article does not say "'strict gun control' is...considered a Canadian cultural value". It says, "Government policies such as publicly funded health care, higher taxation to redistribute wealth, the outlawing of capital punishment, strong efforts to eliminate poverty, strict gun control, and the legalization of same-sex marriage are further social indicators of Canada's political and cultural values." Presumably the value is "order."
 * Opening comments by The Four Deuces

By comparison, while most Canadian provinces once had prohibition, it was an indicator of the Protestant value of temperance, not a value in itself.

I recommend this application for DR be rejected, because there is little support for JackCommons' position.

TFD (talk) 21:43, 27 July 2013 (UTC)

Canada discussion
Please do not use this for discussing the dispute prior to a volunteer opening the thread for comments - continue discussing the issues on the article talk page if necessary. Comment (perhaps a quick wrap-up): Is there any reason why we cant drop "gun control" completely or rewrite that sentence. Canada having strict gun control is only true from certain POVs. Its also meaningless anyway, its like saying Germany has "lax speed control" (because of the Autobahns), and this is indicative of of Germany's political and cultural values. -- Nbound


 * Nbound: I agree and also believe simply removing "gun control" would be the best and easiest solution.- Jack Commons.