Canada’s Gun Buyback Program Faces Criticism as Participation Lags
OTTAWA – Canada’s ambitious program to buy back prohibited firearms is facing mounting criticism, with the advocacy group PolySeSouvient expressing disappointment over what it calls “low participation” rates. The concerns center on a perceived lack of political leadership from Ottawa in effectively communicating the program and countering misinformation, as the deadline for submissions approaches.
As of Tuesday, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced that over 52,000 firearms had been declared by owners intending to participate in the buyback program. This figure falls significantly short of the 136,000 firearms the Liberal government initially anticipated when the program launched in January. The program offers financial compensation to owners of roughly 2,500 models of firearms prohibited in May 2020, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14, deemed suitable only for battlefield use.
PolySeSouvient, a leading gun control advocacy organization, released a statement Wednesday asserting that insufficient communication has hampered the program’s success. The group contends that this lack of outreach allowed “widespread disinformation” spread by gun lobby groups and “legal and political maneuvers” by certain provinces to take root, discouraging participation. The program requires owners to either sell their firearms back to the government for compensation or have them permanently deactivated.
The current buyback initiative stems from a 2020 federal order prohibiting a wide range of firearms. Owners were granted an amnesty period to comply, with a deadline for either selling the weapons back to the government or rendering them inoperable set for October 30th. The program’s future, and the fate of potentially tens of thousands of firearms, hangs in the balance as the deadline nears.
Quebec Rally Highlights Ongoing Opposition
The debate surrounding the buyback program extends beyond participation rates. A recent demonstration held in Quebec City on February 28, 2026, saw thousands of protesters gather in front of the National Assembly to voice their opposition. The protesters are demanding that the Quebec government withdraw from the federal buyback program, arguing that Ottawa is unfairly targeting law-abiding gun owners.
Sophie Béland, Quebec director for the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, stated that Quebec is the only province to have agreed to participate in the buyback. “It’s aberrant that for $12.4 million, they come to target legal gun owners who have nothing to reproach themselves for and who are not represented in crime,” she said in an interview. Béland also indicated she is in communication with Quebec’s Minister of Public Security, Ian Lafrenière, and feels he is receptive to their concerns.
The Quebec rally, and similar demonstrations across Canada, underscore the deep divisions surrounding gun control policy. Participants argued that focusing on disarming law-abiding citizens is a misdirected approach to addressing gun violence, and that the root of the problem lies in mental health issues. Some protesters expressed concerns about potential pressure from anti-gun lobbies and declined to be fully identified in media reports.
Communication Challenges and Provincial Involvement
The lack of widespread participation isn’t solely attributed to misinformation. The program’s rollout has been criticized for its complexity and perceived bureaucratic hurdles. Some owners have expressed frustration with the valuation process for their firearms and the time required to complete the necessary paperwork.
The involvement of provincial governments has also been a point of contention. Even as Quebec initially agreed to participate, other provinces have expressed reservations or outright opposition, creating a patchwork of regulations and complicating the buyback process. The Canadian Association for Firearms Rights has argued that the program is ideologically driven and ineffective in preventing crime, suggesting it serves as a scapegoat rather than a genuine public safety measure.
Minister Anandasangaree remains cautiously optimistic as the deadline approaches, but the low participation numbers raise serious questions about the program’s ultimate success. The government faces a critical juncture: either bolster communication efforts and address the concerns of gun owners, or risk a significant number of prohibited firearms remaining in circulation after October 30th.
For those impacted by the buyback program, the coming weeks will be crucial. Owners must decide whether to participate and receive compensation, or face the legal consequences of possessing prohibited firearms. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between gun control advocates and firearm owners in Canada, and the challenges of implementing effective gun legislation.
What’s Next: The deadline for participation in the federal firearms buyback program is fast approaching. Owners have until Tuesday to declare their intent to participate. The government will then assess the final participation rate and determine the next steps for managing prohibited firearms. Further updates will be provided by the Public Safety Canada website.
