Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree

USPA NEWS - The federal Public Safety department has announced that its firearms compensation pilot program, yielded 16 participants, successfully resulted in the surrender and destruction of 25 prohibited firearms.

According to Noémie Allard, spokesperson for the Public Safety Minister's office, "A total of 25 prohibited firearms were destroyed, having been surrendered by 16 participants. The total compensation paid to the pilot program participants amounted to $26,535." The pilot buyback program was initially expected to collect up to 200 prohibited firearms in Cape Breton.

Lobby groups, including the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, argue that the pilot results demonstrate the program's inevitable failure.

As the Federal Government prepares to launch the program nationally, the Public Safety department is trying to formalize agreements with different provinces and municipal police agencies to assist with collection efforts.

The federal government has implemented an amnesty period for individuals possessing prohibited firearms until October 2026.

Law enforcement agencies in Halifax, Winnipeg, Cape Breton, and Fredericton have indicated their intention to participate. In contrast, many police forces in the Greater Toronto Area and other Ontario regions remain undecided.

When asked, an RCMP spokeswoman would not directly disclose the role RCMP officers in divisions across Canada would play in the program's launch. As part of the rollout, the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program will advise firearms licensees about the program and how to participate.

A spokesperson in Public Safety Minister, Gary Anandasangaree’s office this week said, "That while agreements were in the works with more provinces and police, the banned weapons would be collected through special collection units to be sent around the country."