Overview
- York Region Police said they will not participate in the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program, joining Toronto police, the OPP, Peterborough and Durham.
- Several provinces — Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador — have rejected the plan, though Quebec supports it.
- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the program will proceed using mobile collection units and off-duty or retired officers without pulling frontline police from regular duties.
- Public Safety Canada reported 22,251 firearms were declared in the first week, with owners required to register interest by the end of March and to dispose of or deactivate prohibited guns by Oct. 30.
- Ottawa has earmarked nearly $250 million to compensate an estimated 136,000 firearms, a figure disputed by firearm-rights groups, and officials note the RCMP and Quebec’s provincial police will help as Alberta and Saskatchewan pursue legal and legislative responses.