Ottawa Police Service Not Participating in Federal Gun Buyback

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) says it will not be participating in the federal government’s gun buyback program, joining a number of municipal police forces that have said the same.

Ottawa police made the announcement in a March 2 statement, saying participation in the program “would place undue strain on the police resources dedicated to core policing duties.” The police service added that factors like staffing pressures and a rising demand for police services also contributed to the decision.

“We support efforts to reduce firearm-related harm, and we recognize the objectives of the federal program. At the same time, decisions like this have to be grounded in what can be delivered safely and consistently,” OPS Chief Eric Stubbs said in the statement.

While the OPS said it will not participate as a designated collection site in the federal buyback program, it continues to support “the safe surrender and disposal of unwanted firearms.” The OPS said those looking to surrender a firearm should call the Ottawa police’s non-emergency line and follow instructions on how to safely surrender the firearm.

The Liberal government has banned around 2,500 types of what it calls “assault-style” firearms since 2020. Eligible gun owners have until March 31, 2026, to make an online declaration to receive compensation for a banned firearm.

Those who do not make a declaration on their banned firearms must dispose of or deactivate them before the amnesty period ends on Oct. 30. After that date, those who are still in possession of the banned firearms will be considered breaking the law and could face criminal charges.

The provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the Yukon territory and Northwest Territories, have all said they will not participate in the buyback program. The head of New Brunswick’s police association also recently said its services lack the resources to assist with the buyback.

Other regional police services like the Toronto Police Service, Kingston Police Service, Brantford Police Service, Sarnia Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, and the Durham Regional Police Service have said they will not be participating.

So far, Quebec is the only province or territory that has expressed support for the federal government’s buyback program. In January, the province signed a “financial contribution agreement” with Ottawa to support the implementation of the program. Quebec also has its own firearms registry that collects information on firearms and their owners,

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has said the banning of “assault-style” firearms will help to limit “the devastating effects of firearms violence” across Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the buyback program is “not about confiscation” but is about the “voluntary return of firearms for compensation.”

Conservative Leader Leader Pierre Poilievre has said the firearms buyback program targets “law-abiding” hunters and sport shooters while failing to address the illegal firearms that are most often used in crimes.

The buyback program’s payout amounts for firearms and firearm parts can range from $150 to $9,945, according to Public Safety Canada.

Olivia Gomm contributed to this report.