Screengrab via ParlVu Independent MP Tony Clement stands in the House of Commons on May 9, 2019.

OTTAWA — A Liberal minister's office is denying an Independent MP's claim that Justin Trudeau has a "secret plan to ban legal firearms" to be revealed at a major women's conference next month. Tony Clement raised the issue in question period Thursday. Border Security Minister Bill Blair, who was tapped last summer to examine the possibility of a full ban on handguns and assault weapons in Canada after a deadly shooting in Toronto, did not dismiss the question out of hand. Clement told the House of Commons he had been told "on good authority" that a ban of some kind will come by cabinet directive, rather than legislation to be debated in the final weeks of Parliament. He did not specify which types of firearms he believes could be affected. Watch: Tony Clement asks about 'secret plan to ban legal firearms'

"The prime minister plans to announce this gun ban at the Women Deliver conference held in early June in Vancouver, where New Zealand prime minister (Jacinda) Ardern will also attend," he said. "Can the prime minister confirm or deny this zero accountability secret plan?" Blair responded on behalf of Trudeau, who was not in the House. He said the government is committed to "taking all the measures that are effective in keeping Canadians safe," something he called the greatest responsibility of any level of government. "And we are prepared to consider whatever measures would be effective in doing so," said the former Toronto police chief. Blair's office told HuffPost Canada that the minister has been consulting with Canadians and experts on possible changes to the government's firearms legislation. "Contrary to Mr. Clement's question, no decision has been taken nor has he been privy to any discussions," said spokeswoman Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux in an email. New Zealand introduced a ban on all military-style semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines six days after a gunman fatally shot 51 people at two Christchurch mosques in March. More from HuffPost Canada: BLOG: New Zealand Took 6 Days To Act On Military-Style Guns. Canada Is Still Waiting

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Liberals' New Gun Bill Still Weaker Than U.S. Laws, Say Victims' Advocates Ardern earned international praise for her leadership in the wake of the tragedy. The legislation earned nearly unanimous support, which gave it momentum to move through Parliament and become law less than a month after the shooting. New Zealand's government also introduced a buyback program to encourage people to turn in their now-illegal weapons. The Trudeau government introduced legislation last year to expand background checks for those applying for firearms licences. Bill C-71 is currently at third reading in the Senate.

Chris Young/CP A model of a coffin is carried as physicians and health workers protest in Toronto on April, 3, 2019, as part of a National Day of Action to call for stronger gun control laws, including passage of Bill C-71 and a handgun assault weapons ban.