Provinces can create long-gun registries: Ottawa

From the CBC:

The federal government says it would welcome proposals from any province wishing to set up its own long-gun registry if the Canadian program is eventually abolished.
Ottawa was reacting to a report that the Quebec government has a so-called “Plan B” – to set up its own registry – if the federal program is scrapped.
“Quebec or any of the provinces are free to move forward with any proposals within their jurisdictions,” said Michael Patton, a spokesman for federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
But it’s unclear what kind of role Ottawa would play – if any – in helping provinces set up their own provincial registries.
Toews’ office could not immediately say whether the feds would help set up such provincial programs, by sharing records for instance.

And the plot thickens…