Ottawa plans to launch controversial firearms buyback program during election year

Ottawa is planning to roll out a mandatory buyback program for military-style firearms during the 2025 election year, after the program was delayed by Canada Post's refusal to participate, sources say.

With only months to go before its launch, details of the vast logistical operation remain in flux, federal officials have told Radio-Canada.

The government likely will need to adapt the program on a province-by-province basis, due to its struggle to find partners willing to collect and transport AR-15s and other weapons that were banned in 2020.

Under the terms of that ban, an estimated 140,000 weapons in Canada cannot be used or sold until the government buys them back.

"No one is rushing to participate in the program," said a federal government source who was not authorized to comment on the matter publicly.

The Liberals are planning to launch the program next year, even though their minority government will face confidence votes on its spring budget and the election must be called by September.

The Conservative Party and its leader Pierre Poilievre are firmly opposed to the buyback program, as are the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

One expert said the government is leaving itself little room to manoeuvre, given the risk of logistical problems, high costs and tensions with gun owners.

"The government will be facing problems that could slow down the implementation of the buyback program. It's a risky move for the Liberals," said Frédéric Boily, professor of political science at the University of Alberta.

Ottawa has been promising to launch this program ever since it banned the sale and use of 1,500 models of firearms on May 1, 2020. The buyback plan has the support of the gun control movement but faces stiff opposition from hunters and shooters.

"This seems to be a situation in which the Liberals promised a lot, and maybe they promised too much," said Boily.

The government had to go back to the drawing board after Canada Post refused to collect banned weapons at its post offices, citing security concerns.

Canada Post is refusing to comment on the matter but sources within the organization said many post offices have little security, with no alarm systems or surveillance cameras.

"Zero," said a Canada Post employee when asked to describe security at his post office in a small municipality. "The government is crazy if it thinks we can do this safely."