A brewing constitutional confrontation between the federal government and Prairie provinces over firearms policy is reaching a critical point. The federal gun buyback program, a cornerstone of the Liberal government's public safety agenda, is facing organized and legislated resistance from Alberta and Saskatchewan, setting the stage for a potential legal collision.
The Foundation of Resistance: Provincial Sovereignty Acts
The current standoff has its roots in provincial legislation designed to push back against federal overreach. Three years ago, in 2022, Alberta passed the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act. This law was crafted to formalize the constitutional principle that provinces are not obligated to enforce federal laws and to create a structured method for opposing federal policies deemed to intrude on provincial jurisdiction or infringe on the rights of Albertans.
Following this, Alberta took further steps to assert its autonomy, most notably by enacting its own provincial Firearms Act. Similar movements have emerged in Saskatchewan. These actions, combined with recent sovereignty motions, have directly challenged the implementation of the federal government's plan to buy back a range of prohibited firearms from legal owners.
From Non-Cooperation to Active Opposition
While several provinces, including Manitoba, New Brunswick, and more recently Ontario, have simply declined to assist Ottawa with the program, Alberta and Saskatchewan have adopted a more aggressive stance. Their moves suggest broader constitutional ambitions beyond mere non-participation.
In late October 2025, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe explicitly stated on a Regina talk radio show that firearms would not be seized in his province. He argued that federal agents would require a provincial license to confiscate guns, noting that such a licensing department was "currently an unfunded" entity within the province. This strategic move creates a significant logistical and legal hurdle for the federal initiative.
Alberta's opposition has been building for years. In December 2022, the province announced it would take over prosecutions under the federal Firearms Act, intending to reduce enforcement by potentially choosing not to lay charges against gun owners. By March 2023, Alberta introduced its Firearms Act, which contained provisions that could effectively block federal agents from seizing firearms within provincial borders.
A Looming Legal and Political Collision
The federal program, initially proposed under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and recently confirmed by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to be rolling out "in short order," aims to offer compensation to legal owners who surrender recently prohibited firearms. The active resistance from the Prairie provinces, however, threatens to derail its national application.
Legal experts suggest that by passing their own legislation and refusing administrative cooperation, Alberta and Saskatchewan are effectively inviting the federal government to take them to court. This would force a judicial ruling on the limits of federal power versus provincial jurisdiction in matters of public safety and property regulation. The outcome could redefine the boundaries of Canadian federalism.
The standoff represents more than a policy disagreement; it is a fundamental test of constitutional authority. As both sides dig in, the path forward for the national buyback program appears fraught with legal challenges, ensuring that the debate over guns, jurisdiction, and sovereignty will remain at the forefront of Canadian politics for the foreseeable future.
