End firearm buyback program

AI summary

Petitioners ask the government to end the firearm buyback program and redirect funds to combat illegal gun smuggling and illegal firearm modifications. The government responds that it is prohibiting assault-style firearms and providing compensation via the ASFCP while reinforcing enforcement.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA: Whereas: the Government's firearm buyback program burdens taxpayers without making our streets safer; And Whereas: The projected cost of the entire buyback program could reach $6 billion to seize a fraction of the guns now banned; And Whereas: The Government's pilot program in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia only collected 25 firearms from 16 individuals; Therefore: We, the undersigned residents of Canada, call upon the Liberal government to end its firearm buyback program and instead direct resources toward combating illegal gun smuggling and gun modifications.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Public Safety Signed by JACQUES RAMSAY, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY The Government of Canada is taking action through its comprehensive approach to address firearms violence and combat crime. This approach includes removing assault-style firearms from Canadian communities, investing in border security and law enforcement capacity to reduce firearms smuggling and trafficking, addressing firearms violence, including in situations of intimate partner and family violence, and supporting intervention and prevention programs addressing gun and gang violence. Since May 2020, over 2,500 makes and models of assault-style firearms have been prohibited. These prohibited assault-style firearms can no longer be legally possessed, sold in, or imported into Canada and can only be transferred or transported under limited circumstances. These firearms with semi-automatic action and sustained rapid-fire capability are not suitable for hunting or sport shooting and exceed safe civilian use. The Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) provides an opportunity for individual firearm owners and businesses to seek compensation while coming into compliance with the law. While participation to obtain compensation through the Program was voluntary, compliance with the law is not. Individuals who did not declare their prohibited firearms during the declaration period must dispose of or permanently deactivate them before the amnesty period ends on October 30, 2026. The Government is committed to this program being as cost-effective and efficient as possible, while promoting public safety by removing these dangerous firearms from communities. The Program’s overall funding envelope is $742.5 million (including approximately $248.6 million for compensation to individuals and businesses). The ASFCP for individuals opened with a declaration period that began on January 19, 2026, and ran until March 31, 2026. As of April 1, 2026, more than 67,000 assault-style firearms were declared by 37,869 firearms owners across Canada. The program will communicate directly with participants to give instructions on how to finalize their claims and then permanently deactivate or make an appointment to turn in their firearms for compensation. Collection and compensation processes are expected to run from spring through early fall 2026 in various parts of the country. Collection will be undertaken by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, local police or secured mobile collection units. The Program for businesses reopened on April 23, 2026, and businesses have until June 4, 2026, to submit claims. This is the second phase of the ASFCP for businesses. Between November 2024 and April 2025, the initial phase of the program ran successfully for firearms prohibited in May 2020 only. Over 12,000 firearms were destroyed and firearms businesses across Canada received over $22 million in compensation during that initial phase. The new phase allows claims for firearms and devices prohibited in May 2020, December 2024, and March 2025 and selected associated parts and components. The results of the ASFCP for individuals and businesses will be reported at the Program’s conclusion.