The federal government is investing nearly $200,000 in an Ottawa-based non-profit to amplify public awareness of Canada's "red flag" firearm laws, with a specific focus on protecting those at risk of gun violence.
Funding for a Vital Campaign
Ottawa Victim Services, in partnership with Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, will use the funding to expand their existing "See it, Name it, Change it" campaign. The initiative aims to foster crucial conversations about intimate partner violence and connect people with necessary resources.
Heidi Illingworth, Executive Director of Ottawa Victim Services, explained the campaign's enhanced goal. "We saw an opportunity with this funding pot to expand the campaign and highlight the links between firearms and intimate partner violence and the increased risk in these scenarios," Illingworth stated.
How Red Flag Laws Work
The funding will be used to make information about red flag laws more accessible to the public. These laws empower individuals to apply to the court for an emergency prohibition order if someone poses a safety risk to themselves or others.
There are two key orders available:
- An emergency prohibition order can remove firearms and other weapons for a period of 30 days.
- An emergency limitations on access order can set specific rules for how another person must store or handle firearms if there is a risk they could be accessed by someone under a prohibition.
"We will be working over the next year and a half to add to our campaign to make people aware that they can apply to a court to get a prohibition order if they have concerns that someone might hurt themselves or others and have access to firearms," Illingworth added, noting that the concern applies to both rural and urban settings.
Addressing an Epidemic of Violence
This federal investment comes as Ottawa and Lanark County continue to grapple with what is described as epidemic levels of intimate partner violence. According to an Ottawa Police Service news release from July, reports of domestic violence saw a nine per cent increase in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree endorsed the initiative, stating that through this "Red Flag Awareness Initiative," the government is "investing in community-led projects that raise awareness of the protections available to those at risk of firearm violence." He emphasized that the projects are designed to help individuals "understand, access, and confidently use the protections available to them, helping to prevent harm before it occurs."
