OTTAWA, May 16, 2013 – The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, today announced that the Government of Canada has extended two regulatory measures intended to encourage compliance with federal firearms legislation.
“Our government is committed to enhancing public safety by establishing a firearms control system that encourages compliance and reduces the administrative burden on firearms owners,” said Minister Toews.
To make it easier for firearms owners to comply with the Firearms Act, the Government has extended, until May 2014, regulatory compliance measures related to the renewal of expired Possession Only Licences (POL), and an amnesty from prosecution for owners of non-restricted firearms who are taking steps to come into compliance.
“This initiative is in keeping with our Government’s plan for safe streets and communities, which focuses on tackling crime, victims’ rights and a fair and efficient justice system,” said Minister Toews. “Effective gun control and tackling the criminal use of firearms is key to these initiatives.”
Effective May 17, 2013, as part of the Government’s ongoing measures to reduce the deficit, the current fee waiver associated with renewing or upgrading a licence for non-restricted firearms will be allowed to expire.
For further information, please refer to the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP). The CFP is an operational service line within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Specialized Policing Services, and is responsible for the administration of the Firearms Act which governs the possession, transportation, use and storage of firearms in Canada.
