“Mr. Speaker, to go straight to the matter, the answer to the question of the hon. member is, yes, they should get the fair compensation to which they are entitled. If they do not, please come to me. We will make sure they do. I am pleased to respond to the hon. member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound. He told us that some of his constituents had difficulty returning their firearms. He took this to heart, and I want to thank him for helping his constituents do the right thing. Today, I want to speak about our government’s commitment to strengthening gun control in Canada and our progress in delivering an efficient compensation program to affected firearms owners. In 2020, following the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history in Portapique, Nova Scotia, where 22 plus one people died, the government took the decision that the significant risk certain firearms pose outweighed any justification for their continued availability within Canada and, hence, banned over 2,000 makes and models. These are firearms that are not appropriate for hunting or sport shooting and exceed safe civilian use. Additional assault-style firearms were banned in December 2024 and March 2025, totalling approximately 2,500 prohibited firearms. In all fairness, banning these firearms implied a fair compensation for those firearm owners, hence, the compensation program. Now nearing its completion, the government is continuing to successfully collect firearms for compensation. We are delivering this program on time and within the funding envelope approved by Parliament. Since January 2026, close to 100 assault-style firearms have been declared in the compensation program for individual owners and businesses. More than 40,000 individuals have been turning in their firearms to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, local police services or secure mobile collection units over the past month. In a small number of cases, for example, owners who live very far from an in-person collection location, the program has recently invited them to ship their firearms. While most owners have successfully shipped their firearms, we are indeed aware that others may have faced challenges. In those cases, shipping deadlines have been extended. At any rate, our call centre staff have been and are still available to help resolve any issues participants may face with shipping or any other concerns. For their reference, the number is 1-833-759-4551. We remain committed to supporting owners who declare their firearms so that they can fully participate and receive compensation. Individuals who have had difficulty shipping will be accommodated past the program deadline. The success of the program for individuals builds on the success of the business program. That program has been able to claim over 61,000 firearms. These businesses continue to ship their firearms and receive fair compensation in return. We are serious about removing assault-style firearms from our streets to limit the devastating effects of firearm violence.”
Statement grade
B+
The average of Signal, Relevance, Respect and Clarity is 88. The grade is held to 84, 30 above Signal.
84 / 100, held down by Signal
A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 34 wordsfirst off, I want to thank the parliamentary secretary for his personal commitment with respect to the deadline being extended should any legal firearms owners have any issues with shipping.I appreciate that clarification.ThanksPromise · 17 wordsIf I hear from any of my constituents, I will be sure to hold him to it.Claims · 31 wordsI want to correct his speech a bit.He made a comment that many of these 2,000 models of firearms that were banned are not appropriate for hunting and sport shooting.Positioning · 5 wordsHe is completely factually incorrect.PositioningClaims · 39 wordsI helped review the military’s statement of requirements with respect to small arms firearms.There is not a single one, with the exception of one sniper rifle, on the whole list that would ever be used by the military.Procedure · 21 wordsTherefore, in closing, I want to ask him the same question I have been asking the Liberal government for six years.ProcedureThe question · 11 wordsCould he define what he means by a “military-style assault rifle”?
