Toronto’s police force has declined to participate in the federal government’s expanded gun buyback program, citing a lack of a workable plan. The decision, confirmed through official communication, underscores growing resistance to the initiative across the country.
Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree acknowledged Toronto’s refusal, while maintaining respect for the local force’s decision. However, Toronto Police officials stated they requested further details and remain open to reviewing the program once a more comprehensive plan is presented.
The police service emphasized its commitment to focusing resources on strategies with the greatest impact on public safety. This includes targeting criminals involved with illegal firearms, particularly those smuggled across the border from the United States, according to a spokesperson.
The Toronto Police Association, representing a substantial number of officers and civilian members, strongly supports the decision. They argue that diverting limited resources to this program is a misallocation of funds and won’t effectively enhance public safety.
The union believes funds would be better directed to police services nationwide, bolstering their ability to combat illegal gun trafficking and address the root causes of gun violence. They point to their members’ dedication to actively targeting illegal firearms on Toronto’s streets.
The federal government announced the next phase of the buyback program following a pilot project in Nova Scotia, which yielded a modest recovery of 25 prohibited firearms. Initial hopes were to recover at least 200 weapons from an area with approximately 2,000 banned firearms in circulation.
Despite the limited success of the pilot, the government intends to proceed with recovering over 100,000 “assault-style” firearms, with a deadline for owners to declare interest approaching at the end of March. A significant $250 million has been allocated for owner compensation.
However, the program faces widespread opposition. Currently, only Quebec and police forces in Winnipeg, Halifax, and Cape Breton have signed agreements to participate. Several provinces are actively resisting the initiative.
Alberta and Saskatchewan have either instructed their police forces not to participate or are considering legislation to obstruct the program. Ontario and its provincial police force have also declined involvement. Peel Regional Police are still engaged in discussions with federal authorities.
The buyback program was launched in the aftermath of the devastating mass shooting in Nova Scotia in April 2020, which claimed 23 lives, including that of the perpetrator. The program aims to recover approximately 2,500 firearm models on a first-come, first-served basis before an amnesty period concludes in October.
The initiative seeks to address concerns surrounding access to certain firearms, but the growing resistance from law enforcement and provincial governments highlights the complexities and challenges of implementing a national buyback program.
