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The federal government has unveiled the next steps in its national gun buyback program — and Canadians will have approximately two months to declare their interest in participating in order to receive compensation for turning in outlawed firearms.
Since 2020, Ottawa has banned around 2,500 makes and models of what the federal government calls “assault-style” firearms, arguing they are designed for warfare — not for hunting or sport shooting.
At a news conference on Saturday afternoon, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said “the compensation program is voluntary, but compliance with the law is not.”
“Please take advantage of the program we’re announcing today,” he added.
During a technical briefing for reporters on Saturday morning, an official from the federal government said the declaration period begins Monday and will run until March 31. Canadians can file declarations through the program’s online portal or by paper.
Compensation payments will be issued within 45 business days of a successful validation of the outlawed firearm. The official said the pool of funding is $248.6 million — which will let the government pay for about 136,000 outlawed firearms from individual Canadians.
WATCH | Manitoba premier pushes back on federal gun buyback program:
‘A lot of headaches’ with federal gun buyback program: Manitoba premier
Manitoba is joining other provinces in pushing back against a federal gun buyback program whose pilot resulted in only 25 weapons being collected and destroyed.
After the March 31 deadline, firearms owners who have not submitted a declaration can’t participate in the program, meaning they won’t receive compensation for turning in their outlawed firearms.
The briefing documents also said compensation will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date the declaration is submitted and the availability of program funds at that time.
The documents also confirm the amnesty period for possessing banned guns will end on Oct. 30, 2026. Afterwards, anyone in possession “will be breaking the law and could face criminal prosecution.”
If a firearm owner does not participate in the program, they can permanently deactivate their firearms at their own expense, turn in their firearms to local police for no compensation or export their firearms if they hold a permit, the documents said.
The federal official also told reporters once the nationwide declaration process is underway, the government will reopen the buyback program for businesses that have prohibited firearms.
Minister defends buyback program
The buyback program has faced opposition from some gun owners and the Conservative Party of Canada — who have argued the federal government is punishing law-abiding gun owners with a policy that won’t make Canada safer.
Earlier this week, Manitoba’s Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said his province won’t administer the initiative. At the end of last year, Alberta unveiled its plan to fight the program. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has also vowed to fight back.
During the technical briefing, the federal official said the prohibitions are not being revisited.
WATCH | Minister defends program after pilot program found low uptake:
Government ‘well poised’ to launch gun buyback after pilot phase collected 25 firearms: Minister
Pressed on the low uptake in a six-week pilot phase of the federal buyback program for gun owners in Cape Breton, N.S., Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told reporters ‘in the upcoming weeks, we do anticipate much greater uptake’ when rolling out the full program.
Anandasangaree argued that “every assault-style firearm out of our communities is a step forward for public safety.”
A coalition of gun control advocacy groups said in a statement released Saturday afternoon that the program launch is “a win for public safety in Canada.”
Last fall, the federal government launched a six-week voluntary pilot project in the Cape Breton region of Nova Scotia to test how the process would work. Officials were confident they would collect about 200 firearms.
Instead, just 25 were collected and destroyed, the Department of Public Safety revealed earlier this month. Responding to follow-up questions, the department said Friday that 16 people participated.
In September, Anandasangaree found himself in hot water after he suggested in an audio recording that an acquaintance shouldn’t worry about being arrested for refusing to turn in a banned firearm because municipal police have few resources to devote to such matters.
The minister was also recorded saying the buyback was in part being done because the issue is important to Quebec voters.
In a statement at the time, Anandasangaree said his comments were “misguided.” He also insisted that police forces will be able to do their jobs.