While Canada Post has agreed to store and transport restricted firearms for the initial phase of Canada’s upcoming firearms buyback program, the corporation has made it clear it will not participate in Phase 2, which involves handling firearms directly from private owners.
In a recent statement following an October 16 order-in-council, Canada Post confirmed its support in securely transporting firearms from licensed retailers for destruction. However, the corporation drew a firm line regarding Phase 2, stating it will not be responsible for firearm returns from the public due to employee safety concerns.
The firearms buyback program, announced after the 2020 Nova Scotia tragedy, targets over 1,500 prohibited models, initially collected from licensed retail businesses before inviting individual owners to participate next year. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc outlined that Phase 1 will begin this fall, focusing on purchasing and destroying firearms from retailers, while Phase 2 will extend the buyback to private owners in 2025.
Although Canada Post regularly handles firearms shipments from licensed, specialized retailers in adherence with stringent packaging and shipping regulations, it has emphasized that this arrangement does not apply to the broader public for Phase 2. The corporation’s statement reaffirms that its policy remains unchanged and that any questions about program specifics should be directed to Public Safety Canada.