Firearms owners and advocacy groups are set to gather outside Quebec’s National Assembly this weekend in opposition to the federal government’s gun ban and buyback program, marking a significant show of resistance as Ottawa’s compensation deadline approaches.
The rally, organized by the National Firearms Association (NFA) in coordination with several provincial and national groups, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 28. Organizers say the demonstration aims to unite hunters, sport shooters, collectors, farmers, Indigenous community members, and other licensed firearms owners who oppose what they describe as unfair and ineffective policy.
In a news release issued Feb. 20, the NFA characterized the event as a stand for “fairness, evidence-based policy, and respect for lawful age-old traditions.” The association has urged strong turnout, arguing that participation in Quebec could influence how the program unfolds across the country.
The rally comes nearly six weeks after the federal government opened an online declaration portal allowing owners of banned firearms to signal their intent to participate in the national buyback program. Under the current timeline, eligible owners have until March 31 to declare their firearms for compensation. The collection phase is set to begin April 1, with an amnesty period ending Oct. 30. After that date, possession of the prohibited firearms could result in criminal charges.
Since 2020, the Liberal government has prohibited roughly 2,500 models and variants it classifies as “assault-style” firearms, including most centrefire semi-automatic rifles. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has said such weapons “do not belong in our communities,” framing the ban as a key component of Ottawa’s broader effort to curb gun violence.
The government has allocated approximately $250 million to compensate owners, estimating that about 136,000 firearms fall within the scope of the program. Officials have emphasized that thousands of other firearms remain legal for hunting and sport shooting.
As of Feb. 20, Public Safety Canada reported more than 32,000 firearms had been declared nationwide. Ontario accounted for the highest number of declarations, followed by British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta.
Gun advocacy groups, however, argue the policy misses its intended target. In a video posted online, NFA general manager Ginger Fournier said licensed owners undergo background checks, training, and adhere to strict storage requirements. “They are not the problem, and they should not be treated as one,” she said.
The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) is also backing the rally. In a social media post, spokesperson Tracey Wilson described Quebec as “ground zero” in the federal initiative and noted that buses are being organized from more than two dozen communities across the province.
The event has drawn criticism from gun control advocates, who question its timing. The rally is being held less than three weeks after a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., that left nine people dead and 27 injured. Advocacy group PolyRemembers said in a statement that hosting a public gathering featuring “flags, DJ playing music and food trucks” so soon after the tragedy could be viewed as insensitive to victims and their families.
Meanwhile, Quebec stands alone among provinces in publicly supporting the federal buyback program. The province has signed an agreement with Ottawa to cooperate, and both the RCMP and Quebec’s provincial police have confirmed they will assist with collecting firearms eligible for compensation. Several other provinces and territories including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick have said they will not participate.
Quebec also maintains its own firearms registry. Provincial officials have said registry data will not be used to directly implement the federal buyback but may be used to enforce provincial firearm registration laws.
As the declaration deadline approaches, both supporters and opponents of the buyback program appear to be mobilizing, underscoring the deep divide over gun policy in Canada. Saturday’s rally in Quebec City is likely to be a visible sign of that ongoing debate.
