OTTAWA: The federal government’s highly anticipated “Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program” is facing significant scrutiny after a pilot project in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, failed to meet its collection goals. Despite expectations that the six-week trial would net approximately 200 prohibited firearms, officials confirmed that only 25 guns were successfully collected and destroyed.
The program, which aims to remove roughly 2,500 makes and models of “assault-style” weapons banned since May 2020, has been hampered by technical and logistical hurdles. A “lessons learned” report released by Public Safety Canada cited a confusing registration process and “functional gaps” in the online portal as primary reasons for the low turnout.
Key Challenges and National Rollout
A spokesperson for the Minister of Public Safety acknowledged that the pilot revealed a need for clearer instructions and a more robust support system before the program is launched nationwide. Critics, including the opposition Conservative Party and various gun-rights advocacy groups, have pointed to the pilot’s results as evidence that the program is ineffective and unfairly targets law-abiding owners rather than addressing illegal smuggling.
- Amnesty Extension: Due to the delays and technical issues, the federal government has extended the amnesty period for owners of these firearms. The current deadline to surrender or deactivate the weapons without facing criminal liability is October 30, 2026.
- Quebec Partnership: To regain momentum, the federal government recently announced $12.4 million in funding for the province of Quebec. This financial support is intended to help local police services coordinate the buyback without draining their existing resources. Quebec Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière called the move a “step toward safer communities.”
Industry and Public Reaction
While groups like PolySeSouvient remain encouraged by the government’s persistence, many firearm owners remain hesitant. Reports suggest that the “voluntary but mandatory” nature of the program, coupled with a lack of trust in government portals, has led to widespread non-compliance. With over $700 million budgeted for the national rollout, the government faces mounting pressure to streamline the process before the 2026 deadline.
