Buckeye Reporter

Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has faced scrutiny after a leaked recording revealed his private doubts about the federal government's gun buyback program. The program, initiated in 2020 under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and now overseen by Anandasangaree, aims to remove certain firearms classified as "military grade assault weapons" from civilian ownership.

At a September 23 press conference marking the start of Phase 2 of the initiative, Anandasangaree stated that the government is “moving ahead with an efficient gun buyback program for assault style firearms such as the AR-15s.” He noted that Phase 1, which targeted gun businesses, ended in April with over 12,000 firearms destroyed and more than C$22 million paid in compensation to businesses. The next phase will begin with a pilot project in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, before expanding nationwide. Compensation assessments have been made for approximately 180,000 registered guns affected by the ban.

Anandasangaree emphasized at the event: “This program is voluntary. Nobody is having their weapon confiscated. People who use rifles to hunt can still hunt.”

However, questions arose regarding whether participation could truly be considered voluntary when owners would become noncompliant with criminal law after an amnesty period ends. Anandasangaree responded: “nobody is being forced to undertake the buyback program,” but added that law-abiding citizens are expected to comply with the law and police are responsible for enforcement under the Criminal Code.

Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Robert Walsh commented on the policy’s intent: “This program is really a way to help lawful gun owners stay in compliance with the law. We see this as giving them an opportunity to surrender what they are no longer allowed to possess, to prevent criminal liability,” and doing so without using additional police resources.

The controversy deepened following publication of a recorded conversation between Anandasangaree and a Toronto firearm owner. In it, he reiterated that participation was voluntary but acknowledged that those who do not comply could face legal consequences if local police enforce the rules. He expressed skepticism about municipal police having sufficient resources for widespread enforcement but said: “If it does happen, I’ll bail you out.”

The minister also conceded that compensation may not cover all losses incurred by owners turning in modified or expensive firearms. When pressed about fairness of compensation compared to original purchase prices or investments made by owners into their firearms, he replied: “probably… right,” while jokingly offering personal reimbursement.

Anandasangaree indicated that C$742 million had been allocated for the entire program but did not clarify how much would go directly toward compensating individual owners versus administrative costs.

In remarks captured on tape and later confirmed as authentic by his office—though described as stemming from “bad humor”—the minister questioned aspects of his own policy’s logic: “don’t ask me to explain the logic to you on this.” He suggested he would have taken a different approach focused on illegal guns if starting from scratch but cited campaign promises and electoral pressures from Quebec as reasons for proceeding with current measures: “this is something that’s very much a big, big, big deal for many of the Quebec electorate that voted for us.”

Legal experts have raised concerns about Anandasangaree's comments encouraging disregard for laws until enforcement occurs. Ian Runkle, a Canadian criminal lawyer analyzing these statements publicly online, argued they may raise ethical issues given Anandasangaree’s dual role as both lawyer and government official.

Calls have emerged from opposition parties asking Prime Minister Mark Carney whether he retains confidence in Anandasangaree following these disclosures.

The future direction of Canada’s gun buyback remains uncertain amid ongoing debate over its effectiveness and implementation.