Overview of the Promise

During his 2025 federal election campaign, Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised to require courts to prohibit the possession of firearms or weapons when releasing individuals charged with a violent offence or any offence involving a criminal organization. This measure was part of a broader public safety platform aimed at reducing gun violence, protecting vulnerable populations, and addressing bail conditions for high-risk individuals. The promise specifically targets pre-trial release scenarios, making firearm prohibitions mandatory rather than discretionary, to prevent potential harm while charges are pending.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since assuming office as Prime Minister following the 2025 election, Mark Carney has emphasized public safety reforms, including bail system changes. In July 2025, Carney announced plans for new bail reform legislation to be introduced in the fall, highlighting the need to address repeat offenders and illegal firearms. This announcement aligns with the promise by potentially incorporating mandatory weapon prohibitions for those charged with violent offences or criminal organization involvement. However, as of August 29, 2025, no specific legislation has been tabled in Parliament to enact this requirement.

The government has built on existing frameworks, such as amendments from Bill C-21 (passed in 2023 under the previous administration and receiving ongoing implementation), which include provisions for licence revocations in cases of domestic violence or protection orders. While these measures address related issues like intimate partner violence, they primarily apply to convictions or specific risk scenarios rather than broadly to charges as outlined in Carney's promise.

Related Legislation Proposed or Passed

No new legislation directly fulfilling this promise has been proposed or passed under the Carney government as of the current date. The promised bail reform bill, expected in the fall of 2025, could include provisions to amend the Criminal Code—specifically sections related to judicial interim release under Section 515—to make firearm prohibitions mandatory for the specified charges. Existing laws, such as Section 109 of the Criminal Code, already mandate prohibitions upon conviction for violent offences, but the promise extends this to the charging stage.

In March 2025, the government prohibited additional assault-style firearms and announced measures to combat firearms violence and intimate partner violence involving guns, but these do not address bail conditions for charged individuals. Advocacy groups have urged the Carney administration to prioritize timely implementation of election promises on firearms, noting delays in related areas like gun buybacks.

Progress on Key Points of the Promise

The promise has two main components: prohibiting possession for those charged with (1) a violent offence, and (2) any offence involving a criminal organization. On the first point, discussions around bail reform suggest intent to strengthen conditions for violent charges, but no mandatory prohibition has been legislated. For the second point, similar gaps exist, with no specific amendments targeting criminal organization offences at the bail stage. The government's focus on border security and illegal guns acknowledges related crime issues but does not directly advance this promise.

This promise is currently in progress, as announcements indicate planning for relevant legislation. To become kept, the government must introduce and pass a bill amending the Criminal Code to require courts to impose firearm prohibitions in these cases, with implementation through regulations or guidelines. It would be at risk of being broken if the fall legislation omits these mandates or if delays extend beyond the parliamentary session without action. Failure to table the bill by the end of 2025 could shift it to broken status.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.