Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program: Pilot

The Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) is undertaking a small-scale pilot for individual firearms owners residing in select areas of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

It provides an opportunity for eligible individuals in the pilot area, who have assault-style firearms prohibited in May 2020, December 2024 or March 2025, to participate in the program before the nation-wide launch in fall 2025.

Only the first 200 eligible firearms will be accepted for compensation in the pilot. Eligible owners are encouraged to register and declare their interest to participate in the pilot as early as possible, as claims will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Submitting a claim does not guarantee compensation.

On this page

• Who can participate in the pilot
• How much compensation you could receive
• How to participate and submit your claim
• Contact us

Who can participate in the pilot

You must meet all 4 of the following conditions to participate in the ASFCP pilot:

1. You reside in Cape Breton Regional Municipality within the postal code areas of B1L, B1M, B1N, B1P, B1R, B1S (Sydney), B2A and B1V (North Sydney), or B1A (Glace Bay)
2. You hold a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)
3. You possess eligible firearms that were prohibited in May 2020, December 2024 or March 2025
4. You agree to the ASFCP's terms and conditions when creating your program account in the online portal

If you reside in the pilot area and do not take part in the pilot, or if your claim is not within the 200 firearms pilot limit, you will still have an opportunity to declare your interest in participating in the program when it launches nationally later this fall.

How much compensation you could receive

See the detailed list of eligible firearms and the compensation amounts you could receive for each if your claim is accepted. List includes items prohibited in May 2020, December 2024 and March 2025.

• List of eligible firearms with compensation amounts

How to register and submit your claim

Follow the steps below to participate in the pilot.

Register for the program

• Create your account in the program's online portal by providing your:
  • First and last name
  • Email address
  • Date of birth and city of birth
  • Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) Number
  • Postal code
• Declare your eligible firearms
  • If they are registered with the Canadian Firearm Program (CFP) they will be automatically added in your account. You should review them to verify they are accurate
  • If they are not registered with the CFP you must manually add the items in your account from a searchable list
• Select a disposal option for each of your firearms
  • You can turn them in at a pre-arranged scheduled appointment, OR
  • You can deactivate them with a business authorized to perform deactivations
• Submit your declaration
  • You will be notified by the program if you are eligible to participate in the pilot and whether or not you can proceed with your claim
• If you are approved to proceed, provide the following additional information
  • Log into the online portal and provide your bank account information for direct deposit into your account
  • Confirm you agree to the funding agreement
  • Submit your completed claim

You must submit your claim before 11:59 PM Atlantic Daylight Time on October 15, 2025. Only the first 200 firearms will be accepted for compensation in the pilot. You are encouraged to submit your claim as early as possible, as claims will be processed on a first come, first served basis.

If you wish to complete a non-digital, paper-based registration and declaration for the pilot, contact the ASFCP contact centre. Paper-based registrations must be post-marked no later than October 10, 2025 to align with the pilot deadlines.

Collection

• If you have chosen to turn in your firearms:
  • You will be invited to schedule an appointment to drop them off with the Cape Breton Regional Police Service after your claim has been submitted
  • You will receive instructions for attending your appointment once it has been confirmed. You must have a confirmed collection appointment before bringing your firearms to the drop off location
• If you have chosen to deactivate your firearms:
  • You must coordinate the deactivation with a business authorized to perform deactivations
  • Once the deactivation is complete, you must upload your deactivation payment receipt to your account
  • If your firearm is unregistered, you must also complete an ASFCP Deactivation Notice – Unregistered Firearm for individuals form and bring it to the business authorized to perform deactivations. You must upload the completed form to your account along with your payment receipt

Compensation

Payment for your claim will be issued by direct deposit:

• Once you've turned in your firearms at the drop off location, it will be sent to a processing facility. Once validated at the processing facility, payment for your claim will be issued within 45 business days; OR
• Once your firearms have been deactivated, payment of your claim will be issued within 45 business days after your deactivation receipt (and deactivation form if required) is uploaded to your account and validated by the program.

Payment by cheque can be requested, with instructions available in the online portal.

Contact us

For questions on the pilot or issues related to your claim, call the program contact centre.

To access account-specific information you must:

• Be the PAL holder listed on the claim
• Confirm your name and date of birth
• Confirm your PAL number and expiration date; and
• Confirm either your email address or phone number listed on your claim

Without this information, our agents can assist you with general information about the program, but not with issues or questions specific to your claim. 

Telephone:
1-833-759-4551
TTY: 1-800-465-7735

Monday to Friday
7:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time
Telephone calls are not answered on statutory holidays.