The federal government's pilot program for a contentious firearms buyback initiative has been declared a costly failure by a key provincial official, raising serious questions about the policy's future and its multi-billion dollar price tag.
Saskatchewan Commissioner Blasts Federal Pilot
In a recent interview featured on Brian Lilley's "Lilley Unleashed" segment, Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner Robert Freberg delivered a scathing assessment of the Mark Carney government's attempted gun buyback pilot. The program, intended as a test run for a broader national initiative, has been characterized as fundamentally flawed and wasteful.
Freberg's critique centers on the program's implementation and its disconnect from the realities faced by law-abiding gun owners, particularly in rural and hunting communities. The pilot's failure signals significant hurdles for any attempt to roll out a nationwide version of the plan, which has been a polarizing element of the Liberal government's public safety agenda.
Billions at Stake in Flawed Policy
The financial implications of a full-scale buyback are staggering, with estimates consistently running into the billions of dollars. Critics, including Commissioner Freberg, argue that the pilot program's collapse demonstrates that these vast public funds would be poorly spent on a policy that does not effectively target criminal gun use.
This debate revisits the long-standing and heated national conversation around gun control, reminiscent of the now-defunct federal long-gun registry. The registry, which was abolished after years of controversy, remains a potent symbol of the urban-rural divide on firearms policy in Canada.
Public Reaction and Political Fallout
The failure of the buyback pilot is likely to fuel further political debate. Advocates for stricter gun control may see it as a setback, while opponents will frame it as validation of their concerns about government overreach and fiscal irresponsibility.
The Toronto Sun column by Brian Lilley, published on January 9, 2026, amplifies these criticisms, framing the policy as "more foolish Liberal firearms policy." The segment encourages reader engagement, asking for public thoughts on the issue and inviting letters to the editor for potential publication.
As the House of Commons has historically grappled with firearms legislation, this latest development ensures that the topic of gun ownership, public safety, and government spending will remain at the forefront of federal political discussions for the foreseeable future.
