Canada Launches National Gun Buyback Program Amidst Provincial Opposition
The Canadian federal government has initiated the next phase of its national gun buyback program, offering a two-month window – beginning Monday and concluding March 31 – for owners of previously banned firearms to declare their interest in receiving compensation. This move follows a 2020 ban encompassing approximately 2,500 makes and models of what the government classifies as “assault-style” firearms, arguing these weapons are designed for combat rather than recreational purposes like hunting or sport shooting.
The program, described as voluntary but legally binding, aims to remove these firearms from circulation. Public Safety Minister Gary anandasangaree emphasized the importance of participation, stating, “Please take advantage of the program we’re announcing today,” while simultaneously underscoring that “compliance wiht the law is not.”
During a technical briefing,a federal government official detailed the process,explaining that declarations can be submitted online or via paper forms. Compensation payments,validated within 45 business days,will be distributed from a dedicated fund of $248.6 million, earmarked to cover approximately 136,000 firearms owned by individuals.
However, the program is facing significant resistance from several provinces, who contend that the policy unfairly targets law-abiding citizens and will not enhance public safety. Several provinces have actively resisted the federal initiative. Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe recently announced his province will not administer the program, while Alberta has already unveiled a plan to legally challenge it. Saskatchewan has similarly amended its firearms legislation, proposing that the provincial Firearms Commissioner determine fair market value for any seized firearms, requiring the federal government to reimburse owners accordingly.
The federal government has acknowledged “some technical legal challenges” in Saskatchewan and Alberta but maintains that all Canadians are legally obligated to comply with the ban. Despite the provincial opposition, Canadians in Alberta and Saskatchewan are still permitted to submit declarations.
Concerns Over Program Effectiveness and Transparency
The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) has sharply criticized the program as “wasteful, ineffective and divisive,” advocating for full compensation for all affected gun owners, rather than a capped fund. tracey Wilson, the CCFR’s vice-president of public relations, expressed skepticism, telling CBC News she has “no faith that the government will do the right thing and focus instead on crime, violence and gun smuggling.”
A recent pilot project in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, further fueled concerns about the program’s viability. Officials had anticipated collecting around 200 firearms during the six-week trial, but only 25 were ultimately collected and destroyed, with participation limited to 16 individuals.
Moreover, Minister Anandasangaree faced scrutiny in September after audio recordings surfaced suggesting he advised an acquaintance not to worry about arrest for non-compliance, citing limited municipal police resources. He also alluded to the buyback being partially motivated by its importance to Quebec voters, later describing his comments as “misguided.”
Despite these challenges,Anandasangaree maintains that removing “every assault-style firearm out of our communities is a step forward for public safety.” A coalition of gun control advocacy groups echoed this sentiment, releasing a statement calling the program launch “a win for public safety in Canada” and asserting that the outlawed firearms are not suitable for hunting and pose a significant public safety risk, often being used in mass shootings and attacks on law enforcement.
Watch a report on the challenges the federal government faces in Saskatchewan and Alberta: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gun-buyback-challenges-sask-alta-1.7132444
Watch a report on Manitoba’s opposition to the federal gun buyback program: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/manitoba-premier-gun-buyback-1.7132399
The federal government has affirmed that the existing prohibitions on these firearms will not be revisited, signaling a firm commitment to the controversial policy despite ongoing opposition and questions surrounding its practical implementation.
