Background on the Promise

During the 2025 federal election campaign, Mark Carney, as Liberal Party leader, pledged to continue implementing an efficient gun buyback program specifically targeting assault-style firearms. This commitment built on earlier Liberal initiatives dating back to 2019, which aimed to remove such weapons from civilian ownership to enhance public safety. The promise emphasized efficiency in execution, focusing on assault-style firearms that had been prohibited under previous regulations.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since assuming office as Prime Minister following the 2025 election, Mark Carney's government has taken several steps to advance the gun buyback program. In April 2025, Carney announced a revamped approach to the program as part of a broader public safety platform, pledging to reinvigorate its implementation to make it more effective. This included commitments to strengthen border security to curb illegal gun inflows while proceeding with the buyback for legally owned assault-style firearms.

By August 2025, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree confirmed in interviews that the government is actively planning to complete the buyback by the end of 2026. This involves ongoing efforts to collect prohibited firearms from individual owners, building on the program's existing phase for retailers. The government has also extended the amnesty period for owners of these firearms, pushing back the original October 2025 deadline to allow more time for compliance and efficient rollout.

Related Legislation and Proposals

The foundation for the buyback stems from earlier legislation, including the 2020 prohibition of over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms via an Order in Council. In March 2025, shortly before the election, the government prohibited additional assault-style firearms deemed unsuitable for civilian use, such as those with sustained rapid-fire capabilities and large-capacity magazines. No entirely new legislation has been passed under Carney specifically for the buyback, but the government has utilized existing frameworks, including budget allocations for IT solutions to facilitate the program's expansion.

Proposals under Carney include revamping the program's structure to address past delays, such as Canada Post's refusal to participate in collections. The focus remains on mandatory buyback for prohibited weapons, with compensation provided through the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program administered by Public Safety Canada.

Progress on Key Elements of the Promise

The promise specifies continuing implementation with an emphasis on efficiency for assault-style firearms. To date, the program has progressed for commercial retailers, with thousands of firearms already collected. For individual owners, the government is developing collection mechanisms, including potential partnerships and digital tools. Critics, including gun rights groups, argue the program remains inefficient due to high costs and limited impact on crime, while advocates express concerns over potential delays. However, official statements indicate active planning and a timeline for completion, showing continuation of the initiative.

Path to Keeping or Breaking the Promise

As the program is currently in progress, it could be considered kept if the government fully implements the buyback, compensates owners, and removes the targeted firearms from circulation by the stated 2026 deadline, demonstrating efficiency through timely execution and minimal waste. It would be at risk of being broken if significant delays persist beyond the extended amnesty or if the program is scaled back or abandoned due to budget cuts or political opposition. Complete failure to advance collections for individuals or cancellation would result in the promise being broken.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.