Parliamentary Committee Notes: Provincial/Territorial Positions on Firearms

Provincial/Territorial Positions on Firearms
Province/Territory Overall Position on Federal Firearms Measures Relevant Positions/Actions
British Columbia Overall supportive
  • Expressed support for the buyback program in an FPT meeting on February 21, 2023, with some concerns about resources.
  • Passed the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) in March 2021, implementing recommendations made in the Illegal Firearms Task Force Final Report (2017).
  • Supports measures to limit the proliferation of ghost guns
Alberta Overall significantly opposing
  • Publicly opposes ASF prohibition: Provincial CFO wrote Minister of Public Safety to ask to overturn the ASF ban in April 2022.
  • Passed law (Alberta Firearms Act) in 2021 to prevent municipalities from passing bylaws to restrict handguns and in 2023 to establish a firearm seizure licensing system to prevent the federal buyback program. Limits municipal/police ability to enter contracts with federal government for firearm-related programs.
  • Established the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee to advocate positions for firearms ownership.
  • Raised significant concerns regarding the handgun freeze in multiple FPT meetings.
  • Opposes Bill C-21, but supports efforts to address smuggling.
Saskatchewan Overall significantly opposing
  • Publicly opposes ASF prohibition.
  • Passed law (Saskatchewan Firearms Act) in 2023 to establish a firearm seizure licensing system to prevent federal buyback program.
  • Passed law in 2021 to prevent municipalities from passing bylaws to restrict handguns.
  • Appointed first Chief Firearms Officer in September 2021.
  • Opposes Bill C-21, but supports efforts to address smuggling.
Manitoba Overall opposing
  • Opposes Bill C-21, but supports efforts to address smuggling.
  • Appointed committee to study former Bill C-21, which reported unfavourably on the legislation and recommended that Manitoba appoint a provincial CFO.
Ontario Overall balanced
  • Calls for firearms focus to be on criminal use of firearms, but has not publicly opposed Bill C-21 in its entirety.
  • Will support new wiretap offences in C-21 as they requested them specifically.
  • Supports measures to limit the proliferation of ghost guns.
  • Raised concerns about handgun owners and the withdrawn amendments in an FPT meeting on February 21, 2023
Quebec Overall supportive
  • Supports ASF prohibition.
  • Supports further handgun restrictions.
  • Opposed former Bill C-21, but largely due to municipal handgun restrictions that Quebec maintained should be delegated to provinces.
New Brunswick No strong public opinion
  • Publicly opposes use of police & RCMP to implement buyback program.
Prince Edward Island No strong public opinion N/A
Nova Scotia Overall supportive
  • FPT DM and ADM tables have shown general support for federal positions, including ASF ban and further restrictions on handguns.
Newfoundland and Labrador No strong public opinion N/A
Nunavut No strong public opinion N/A
Northwest Territories No strong public opinion
  • Publicly opposed Bill C-21 withdrawn amendments G-4 and G-46. 
Yukon No strong public opinion
  • Publicly opposed Bill C-21 withdrawn amendments G-4 and G-46.  
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