Heated battles expected as Parliament resumes

The contentious issue of the long gun registry is first on the block.

Politicians made their perennial vow of civility ahead of the opening of the fall session of Parliament today, but good manners may not survive the afternoon as MPs take up the political battles they waged in the media throughout the summer. First up is the fate of the long gun registry, which will go to a vote on Wednesday. The issue has been highly divisive, pitting rural and urban voters against each other and dividing the NDP. Jack Layton now says he has enough votes to save the gun control program. Other issues that will see aggressive debate include migrant ships, the treatment of Afghan detainees, and the long form census.