Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is praising the initial phase of the government’s prominent gun control initiative as a triumph, despite the limited participation in the trial. Since 2020, the Canadian government has prohibited approximately 2,500 types of firearms, contending that the listed makes and models are designed for combat rather than recreational hunting or sport shooting.
The policy has encountered opposition from the Conservative party and firearm advocacy groups, who argue that the measure unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners instead of addressing criminal activities. In response to these concerns, the government pledged to reimburse owners for the surrendered firearms through a buyback scheme.
The trial run of the buyback program saw minimal uptake. Initially aiming to collect 200 firearms during a six-week trial in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the government only received 25 firearms from 16 individuals. These results, disclosed recently, have raised doubts about the effectiveness of the over $700-million program when it is implemented nationwide.
Anandasangaree, speaking at a press briefing, stated, “Overall, I consider the pilot a success.” He highlighted the aim of assessing the system’s capability to register and retrieve voluntarily surrendered firearms.
Emphasizing that the pilot was not solely about numerical outcomes, Anandasangaree expressed confidence in a higher participation rate when the full program launches soon. The government has addressed identified issues with the online portal and other aspects to ensure a smooth rollout.
Despite the tepid response to the pilot, several provinces have voiced opposition to the program. Alberta has outlined a detailed plan to challenge the federal initiative, labeling it an unconstitutional infringement on citizens’ rights. Saskatchewan and Ontario leaders have also expressed resistance to supporting the buyback efforts financially.
Critics, including political science professor Noah Schwartz, have questioned the legitimacy of the Minister due to leaked comments suggesting doubts about the program’s effectiveness and personal compensation considerations for gun owners. Observers like Heidi Rathjen from PolySeSouvient stress the importance of the program’s successful implementation to prevent escalating gun violence, though challenges persist.
Quebec has become the first province to sign onto the buyback program, with the government securing a $12.4-million agreement with the province. Law enforcement agencies in various regions have agreed to participate, although the national collection target remains unspecified. Owners of banned firearms have until October 30 to dispose of or deactivate their weapons to avoid legal repercussions.