More than three decades after the tragic École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, gun control remains a contentious issue in Canada. The 1989 attack, which left 14 women dead, prompted calls for stricter laws from activists like Heidi Rathjen, who has been campaigning against assault-style rifles ever since.
In response to another deadly mass shooting in 2020, the Canadian government introduced a ban on roughly 2,500 models of assault-style firearms, accompanied by a buyback programme intended to compensate owners who turn in these prohibited guns. However, the rollout has been fraught with challenges.
Legal gun owners have expressed confusion and distrust over the scheme, and two provinces—Alberta and Saskatchewan—have refused to participate. Even gun control advocates admit the plan is not comprehensive enough, leaving significant gaps in enforcement. Rathjen told the BBC: “Without a comprehensive ban on assault weapons, there is no ban… and the money will be wasted.”
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree faced criticism after a secretly recorded conversation revealed doubts about the programme’s effectiveness, though he later reaffirmed his support, calling it important for community safety.
Lessons from Abroad
Experts point to Australia and New Zealand as examples of successful buybacks. After the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, Australia bought back and destroyed 650,000 firearms. New Zealand collected around 56,000 guns following the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019. Analysts say Canada’s efforts have been slower and less coordinated, limiting impact.
According to Joel Negin, a public health professor at the University of Sydney, Australia’s programme succeeded because it was rapid, well-funded, and part of a broader set of reforms. By contrast, Canada’s buyback has been fragmented and inconsistently applied across provinces.
Public Concerns and Provincial Resistance
Some Canadians, including hunters and sport shooters, argue the laws unfairly target lawful gun owners. Frank Nardi, a Montreal gun shop owner, told the BBC that many customers are unclear which firearms are included in the ban, pointing out inconsistencies between similar weapons.
Alberta and Saskatchewan have opted out or delayed enforcement. Saskatchewan’s new firearms commissioner, Blaine Beaven, said the province’s law protects owners until fair compensation is guaranteed, describing the federal ban as “an ideological mandate with limited public safety benefit.”
Several police forces have also declined to assist, citing operational burdens and a focus on illegal firearms.
Strong Public Support for Gun Control
Despite these challenges, polls indicate strong support for tighter gun regulations in Canada. In 2020, 82% of Canadians backed a ban on military-style assault weapons. Licensing, safety courses, and background checks are already required, making legal gun ownership highly regulated.
Canada has also seen illegal firearms enter the country, primarily from the United States, with 91% of handguns recovered in Ontario linked to cross-border smuggling. In mass shootings, however, perpetrators often use long guns or unregistered firearms, as seen in the 2020 Nova Scotia shooting and the February 2026 attack in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, which claimed eight lives.
Current Progress of the Buyback
Despite criticisms, the Canadian government is continuing with the programme. More than 67,000 firearms have been voluntarily surrendered by over 37,000 Canadians, with funds allocated to buy back a total of 136,000 guns. Minister Anandasangaree praised those who participated, stating, These types of weapons do not belong in our communities.
0 Comments