Ottawa, ON
Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, and the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced that 324 additional unique makes and models of assault-style firearms are now prohibited in Canada. The Ministers also announced that the Government of Canada will move forward with regulatory measures to ensure that all firearms in the Canadian market are accounted for as well as to strengthen provisions to combat gender-based violence.
Today's announcement is part of the Government of Canada's comprehensive approach to tackle gun violence in Canada, which includes investments in border security to stop firearm smuggling and trafficking, strengthened firearms controls, tougher firearms legislation through C-21 - which codified a freeze on the sale, transfer and importation of handguns by individuals, and tougher penalties for gun traffickers - and support for intervention and prevention programs to stop gun and gang violence.
On May 1, 2020, after the worst mass shooting in Canadian history in Portapique, Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada prohibited 1,500 makes and models of assault style firearms (ASF). As of November 2024, more than 2,000 models and variants are prohibited. The additional assault-style firearms prohibited today share the same technical characteristics as those prohibited in May 2020.
The prohibition of these additional unique makes and models takes effect immediately. These 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 must be securely stored in accordance with the storage requirements for their classification prior to the prohibition.
Following the May 2020 prohibition, the Government introduced an Amnesty Order as a companion to the firearms prohibition at that time. That Amnesty Order remains in force. A new Amnesty Order has been introduced, which also expires on October 30, 2025, for the prohibition announced today. Each Amnesty Order protects individuals and businesses, who lawfully possessed the firearms prior to each of the bans, from criminal liability while taking steps to come into compliance with the law. During the amnesty period, there is an exception to allow Indigenous Peoples exercising a right under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, as well as those who use firearms for sustenance hunting, to continue to use their now prohibited firearms to hunt (if previously non-restricted) until a suitable replacement can be found.
An Expert Panel has been convened to provide advice on firearms remaining on the market.
Sending firearms to Ukraine
The Government of Canada has committed to the Ukrainian Government to work with businesses with a view to identifying how these and previously prohibited guns could be donated to support the fight for democracy in Ukraine. These guns are military-style guns and Ukraine has indicated interest in those with NATO caliber.
New regulations
The Government intends to table regulatory amendments in Parliament on December 13, 2024, following through on commitments to make sure that all makes and models of firearms are accounted for prior to entering the Canadian market.
The Government also continues to act to fully implement former Bill C-21, with remaining provisions to come into force early in the new year. In particular, no later than January 2025, the Government intends to measures in Parliament to address the rates of gun violence in situations of gender-based and intimate partner violence, including to define "protection order" to support the implementation of these additional harm reduction measures. New Red Flag laws - already in force - allow anyone to apply to the court to temporarily remove a firearm from an individual who may pose risks to themselves or others. An awareness campaign will be launched this Spring to support the new Red Flag laws.
In addition, the Government will also introduce regulations concerning large-capacity magazines in March 2025.
Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program
The Government will provide fair compensation for businesses and owners affected by this prohibition, as well as the prohibition announced in May 2020. All newly prohibited firearms will be included in the Assault Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP). The first phase of the ASFCP process has already begun with a few businesses for testing and will be open to all firearms businesses across the country in the coming days. These firearms businesses will be notified on how and when to participate in the program.
