Taxpayers group: free legal counsel for Cape Breton gun owners targeted by gun grab
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is offering free legal support to firearms owners in Cape Breton as the federal government begins its pilot project to confiscate legally purchased guns.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is offering free legal support to firearms owners in Cape Breton as the federal government begins its pilot project to confiscate legally purchased guns.
“If you’re a gun owner in Cape Breton and you want to know your rights, we are here for you,” said the CTF’s General Counsel, Devin Drover. “Ottawa just extended the amnesty until at least October 2026, and you do not have to hand anything over right now.”
Drover stressed that police across Canada have questioned the effectiveness of the plan.
“Police officers across Canada are saying that confiscating guns from licensed gun owners won’t reduce gun crime so we want to make sure those law-abiding citizens have the legal advice they need,” he said.
The comments follow Toronto Police Association President Clayton Campbell testifying in a Commons’ hearing that the confiscation scheme will have zero effect on crime.
“The gun buyback program would not have any impact on the violence we’re seeing in the city. The violence we’re seeing in relation to firearm offences is essentially exclusively to a small number of gang members, thugs, using illegal firearms,” he said. “90 per cent of the 700 illegal firearms we seized last year came across the border. Most of the time, people on bail are prohibited from using a firearm.”
The confiscation scheme currently has a budget cap of $742 million, but costs are expected to be closer to $2 billion.
“Confiscating guns from licensed, law-abiding Canadians won’t stop criminals from getting their hands on illegal guns,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Taxpayers should not be left footing the bill for a confiscation scheme that won’t make Canadians safer.”
While the federal government moves ahead with its Cape Breton trial, Nova Scotia’s provincial government has distanced itself.
In a letter to constituents, MLA Tom Taggart clarified that the program is strictly a deal between Ottawa and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
“The Province of Nova Scotia and its Provincial Police Force are not and will not be participating,” Taggart wrote.
That stance mirrors Alberta’s refusal to enforce the program. Justice Minister Mickey Amery and Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said the province has directed police to focus elsewhere.
“Simply put, Alberta’s government will not be enforcing this gun grab, and we will make clear to law enforcement that this is not an enforcement priority. We expect them to focus their time and resources on real provincial policing priorities – like violent criminals, not hunters and sport shooters,” the ministers said in a joint statement.
Ontario has followed Alberta’s lead. The Ontario Provincial Police will not participate.
The National Firearms Association has positioned itself similarly to the CTF.
“Unfortunately, some people — including officials acting under pressure — may try to use that fear to push individuals into hasty decisions. We will stand with you to ensure you are treated fairly, understand your rights, and are not pressured into actions you don’t fully understand,” said the NFA in a post to X.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s legal team urged any Cape Breton gun owners seeking free legal advice about the confiscation scheme to contact them at legal_team@taxpayer.com
Simply put: A total waste of taxpayers money that will do nothing to stop illegal gun owners from committing crimes, ie criminals with imported guns from the USA.
The money would be better spent if the program offered cash for illegal guns from criminals, no questions asked. At least then those guns would be off the streets and not used for more crimes.