While the government of Canada has committed to rolling out the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP), all three local police services have made statements they will not be participating in this initiative.
The Canadian Government started banning certain assault-style firearms in May 2020. Since then, 2,500 makes and models have been deemed prohibited in Canada.
According to the Canadian government website the ASFCP was developed to provide an option for eligible businesses and individuals who own these prohibited firearms to comply with the law. Those who choose to participate in the program may receive compensation subject to availability of program funds.
Although this program is completely voluntary, residents are still to comply with the law. The government has stated that businesses and individual firearm owners must safely dispose of or permanently deactivate their assault-style firearms before the amnesty period ends on October 30, 2026, or risk criminal liability for the illegal possession of a prohibited firearm.
Though the federal government has rolled out this program, no local police forces will be participating.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) told the Herald, “At this time, after consultation with the Government of Ontario, the OPP will not participate in the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP). The OPP does not have the capacity to collect all “assault-style” firearms in the province. If an individual attends an OPP detachment to surrender their prohibited firearm, the OPP will accept the firearm for destruction. However, that individual will not be eligible for compensation through the ASFCP. The OPP remains committed to all joint law enforcement initiatives and continues to take a coordinating role in integrated police investigations to combat organized crime and other illegal activities.”
IN a written press release, the Peterborough Police Service stated, “After careful consideration and review of the information currently available, an operational decision has been made that at this time the Peterborough Police Service will not be an active participant in the Federal Assault Style Federal Compensation Program (ASFCP). This means, we will not be deploying officers or resources to actively seek out those with firearms that fall within the scope of this program.”
The release went on to state that the Peterborough Police Service remains “committed to public safety and to reducing firearm-related harm in our community; however, there are significant gaps within the ASFCP program, including insufficient clarity around the details and expectations of the program, such as the logistics of operationalizing such a program including the expectations of police services to safely engage with this program. While the ASFCP may help reduce the availability of domestically sourced prohibited firearms, our current priorities related to firearms investigations are focused on those who use firearms in the commission of a criminal offence, irrespective of whether they are legally or illegally owned: stated otherwise, if a person commits a criminal offence in our community, and uses a firearm in the commission of that offence, we will bring the full weight of our resources to bear to ensure that person is brought before the courts to answer for their actions.”
The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service’s stated in a social media post that they are also not currently participating in this program and will not be offering any scheduled collection appointments.
Member of Parliament for the Peterborough riding, Emma Harrison would give no comment on the ASFCP itself but did tell the Herald, “I respect the decisions of the police departments in the riding in making the best decision for their officers and organizations.”
Participating in this program can be done by creating an account online through the federal government to declare prohibited firearms during the declaration period which closes in March 2026.
That being said, the federal government has stated through their fire arms buy back web page that submitting a declaration does not guarantee you will receive compensation. Declarations will be reviewed primarily on a first come, first served basis and accepted based on availability of program funds. Those looking to participate are encouraged to submit a declaration as early as possible to increase the likelihood of receiving compensation.
More information on this program can be found online at canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/firearms-buyback.html.
