Question Period Note: Supporting the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program

Public Services and Procurement Canada is working with Public Safety Canada to implement the program specifically as the contracting authority.

Note: All questions related to capability, requirements and costing should be directed to the Minister of Public Safety.

• The intent of the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program is to safely collect now-prohibited firearms from Canadians and businesses, while offering fair compensation to businesses and lawful owners impacted by the prohibition
  • In September 2024, Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded a contract for the business component of the program
  • The Request for Proposal for the individuals component of the program has closed, with two contracts awarded soon

The competitive process was comprised of two components, one Request for Proposal for the Business Phase, which includes stock from resellers such as sporting goods stores, and one subsequent Request for Proposal for the Individuals Phase, which will cover prohibited firearms owned by individuals.

On July 2024, the Request for Proposal for the Business Phase of the program was sent to the Qualified Suppliers. The contract for the Business Phase was awarded on September 2024 and the program has been operational since December 2024.

The Request for Proposal for the Individuals Phase was initiated with the Qualified Suppliers on December 17, 2024, and closed on January 24, 2025. It is expected to award two contracts: one for firearm collection and destruction near police jurisdictions, and another for remote areas via mobile collection units. Contract award is anticipated in the spring of 2025. A Dry Run is expected to occur in late June/early July 2025, with a pilot in mid-September followed by a launch in November 2025.

An amnesty order, which protects businesses and individuals who were in lawful possession of one or more of the newly prohibited firearms from criminal liability for unlawful possession, is in place until October 30, 2025, for businesses and individuals to properly dispose of banned items. Public Safety is working to extend this date given that the Individuals Phase is scheduled to launch in November.

Under the Individuals component, Public Services and Procurement Canada is also developing internally a comprehensive Case Management System. The system is designed to track the progress of claims, facilitate communication between participants and the program administrators, and ensure that individuals receive the proper compensation for their firearms.

• On December 7, 2023, Public Services and Procurement Canada launched a competitive process to procure services for the collection, storage, verification, validation, transportation, and destruction of firearms
  • On September 26, 2024, Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded a contract for up to $4.5 million (before applicable taxes), for one year and a one-year option, for the business component of the program