Pierre Poilievre Demands Firing of Public Safety Minister Over Gun Buyback Program
Opposition Leader Calls Program a Costly Distraction from Public Safety
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has intensified his criticism of Canada’s federal gun buyback program, directly calling for the dismissal of Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. Speaking Monday, Poilievre argued the program represents a misallocation of $750 million that could otherwise bolster border enforcement and frontline policing. His remarks came after footage surfaced showing Anandasangaree appearing to distance himself from implementing the policy and making light of its enforcement.
The controversy adds to growing debates over the effectiveness of the national firearm buyback plan, which the government has billed as a cornerstone of its firearms strategy. At the center are thorny questions surrounding cost, implementation, and its broader impact on public safety.
The Buyback Program at the Heart of the Dispute
The federal firearm buyback program, announced in the aftermath of the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia, was designed to purchase prohibited weapons from owners across the country. Its focus has extended beyond handguns to include certain classes of long guns, commonly used by hunters and farmers.
The government has portrayed the initiative as essential to reducing the circulation of dangerous weapons. Yet critics argue the inclusion of hunting rifles and shotguns goes too far, targeting ordinary Canadians rather than individuals engaged in criminal activity. Poilievre seized on these concerns, claiming police forces have shown little willingness to enforce the measure and warning it could erode trust in law enforcement.
According to Poilievre, “This program is a financial sinkhole. A three-quarter-billion-dollar attempt to confiscate hunting rifles is not a solution to violent crime. It weakens our borders and diverts scarce police resources.”
Recorded Comments Haunt Public Safety Minister
The debate has been magnified by a recording in which Anandasangaree is heard acknowledging he would never move to fully implement the buyback scheme. In the same instance, he reportedly joked about bailing out a tenant should they be arrested for failing to comply with the policy.
The comments have provided ammunition for opposition critics, who argue that if the minister himself doubts the usefulness of the program, then the government should reconsider its approach altogether. Poilievre directly questioned Prime Minister Mark Carney’s confidence in his cabinet, asking when Anandasangare would be removed from his post.
The Public Safety Minister has so far refrained from further public comment on the issue, though his office has defended the government’s overall firearms policy as a necessary tool against rising gun crime.
Historical Roots of Canadian Firearms Policy
Firearm regulations have long been a contentious issue in Canada. The federal government first established a national long-gun registry in the 1990s, following a series of mass shootings that elevated public demand for stricter controls. That registry, however, was dismantled in 2012 amid complaints of bureaucratic inefficiency and spiraling costs, with the Conservative government at the time framing it as an attack on law-abiding gun owners.
The current buyback proposal echoes earlier tensions: advocates see it as a public safety measure, while critics recall the financial pitfalls of prior programs. Poilievre has sought to place the current plan in that historical continuum, arguing it risks repeating past mistakes at even greater expense.
Regional Divides Emerge in Public Reaction
Reaction to the buyback program has been deeply regional. In rural provinces such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta, the program has fueled resentment among hunters and ranchers who view firearms as essential tools rather than security threats. In these communities, critics argue the buyback unfairly punishes lawful citizens while failing to address the smuggling of illegal weapons across the U.S. border.
By contrast, in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, where concerns about gun violence remain pressing, there has been broader if cautious support for stricter regulations. Mayors and local advocacy groups have urged the federal government to pair gun restrictions with investments in housing, mental health, and social programs to address the roots of violence.
This urban-rural divide has further complicated the current controversy, with Poilievre emphasizing policing and border security to appeal to voters skeptical of Ottawa’s approach.
Economic Impact and Cost Debate
The estimated $750 million earmarked for the gun buyback has placed the program under heavy financial scrutiny. Government officials argue the figure is justified as part of a long-term public safety investment. However, critics note that the country faces mounting fiscal pressure, from health care funding shortages to strained police budgets.
Poilievre pointed to reports suggesting that border enforcement agencies remain underfunded, even as illegal firearm trafficking continues to climb. Smuggling routes along the U.S.-Canada border present ongoing challenges, with authorities seizing increasing numbers of handguns and automatic weapons not manufactured in Canada. Critics contend that every dollar spent confiscating hunting rifles is a dollar not spent intercepting firearms that are most often linked to violent crime.
Economists highlight another dimension: the potential administrative complexities and compensation logistics. Managing a mass return of firearms would require new infrastructure, verification systems, and storage facilities. Past registry-related efforts suggest such administrative costs often exceed initial projections, raising concerns about ballooning budgets.
Comparisons with Global Policies
Gun buyback programs have been implemented around the world with mixed results. Australia’s large-scale firearm buyback in 1996, following the Port Arthur massacre, is widely cited as a success. It led to the collection of over 600,000 guns and a sharp decline in gun-related homicides and suicides.
New Zealand attempted a similar program following the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019. While praised for immediate action, that initiative faced challenges over compliance, costs, and administrative strain, which mirror criticisms now surfacing in Canada.
Unlike these nations, Canada’s geography and border with the United States introduce added complications, with illegal guns crossing the border undermining domestic restrictions. Experts argue that without enhanced border control, the impact of any buyback will remain limited.
Police Response and Enforcement Challenges
Perhaps the most critical test of the program’s viability has been the response from police forces. Some law enforcement agencies have expressed reluctance to dedicate manpower to what they see as a politically driven initiative. Police unions have quietly stated that directing officers toward confiscating rifles in rural areas risks eroding community trust — at a time when cooperation is crucial in tackling more pressing threats such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and smuggling networks.
The apparent lack of enthusiasm from front-line officers reinforces Poilievre’s claim that the program is unlikely to achieve its stated public safety goals. If officers decline to enforce the measure broadly, compliance will depend almost exclusively on voluntary participation, raising further doubts about cost-effectiveness.
Political Stakes Rise for Prime Minister
The controversy also places Prime Minister Mark Carney in a politically delicate position. Cabinet solidarity has become a defining test of his leadership in recent weeks, with rival parties quick to exploit any appearance of division or inconsistency.
Poilievre’s demand for Anandasangaree’s dismissal is as much a challenge to the minister’s credibility as it is to the Prime Minister’s authority. Should Carney retain his Public Safety Minister despite the controversy, his government risks appearing out of touch with both public opinion and its own policy priorities. Conversely, if he yields to Poilievre’s demand, it may set a new precedent for how easily opposition pressure can reshape cabinet makeup.
Outlook for the Gun Buyback Debate
As the buyback program continues to stir heated debate, the future of Canada’s firearms policy remains uncertain. Advocates insist that bold action is necessary to keep deadly weapons out of circulation, especially amid reports of rising gun crime in several major metropolitan areas. Critics maintain that the government’s resources would be better spent enhancing border protection, strengthening community policing, and addressing the socioeconomic roots of crime.
With the political spotlight now firmly fixed on Anandasangaree, Prime Minister Carney faces intensifying calls for action. Whether he chooses to defend his minister, revise the gun buyback strategy, or change course entirely, the decision will carry long-term implications not only for public safety policy but also for the broader trajectory of his government.
For now, the controversy underscores a fundamental question in Canadian politics: how best to balance the rights of lawful gun owners with the imperative of reducing gun violence in a nation where geography, history, and economics all converge on a debate that shows no sign of fading.