Halifax’s police chief confirmed the force’s participation in the federal government’s gun buyback program for banned firearms, despite previous statements from Nova Scotia’s premier indicating the province’s reluctance to engage in the initiative. Ottawa has prohibited approximately 2,500 types of firearms categorized as “assault-style,” emphasizing their military design rather than recreational use.
The buyback program, aimed at compensating gun owners, has encountered resistance from various provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Ontario Provincial Police. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston expressed skepticism about the program’s effectiveness in enhancing public safety, citing a limited collection of firearms during a pilot project in Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Contrary to the provincial stance, Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean declared the force’s involvement in the buyback program. MacLean clarified that the decision to participate does not align with the premier’s viewpoint, as the provincial government prefers not to allocate resources to the initiative. The police chief assured that off-duty officers would handle the program, with the federal government covering their expenses.
Halifax Regional Police announced that gun owners must declare their intent to participate in the compensation program online by March 31, 2026. Eligible participants can schedule appointments for their firearms’ collection by the police this spring, with compensation managed by the federal government. The program aims to support gun owners in complying with new federal regulations without criminalizing them.
Chief MacLean emphasized the importance of reducing the number of firearms in communities, highlighting the link between firearm presence and criminal activities like intimate partner violence. Despite differing opinions on the buyback program, MacLean emphasized the duty to enhance community safety by minimizing potential misuse of firearms. The RCMP and other police services have agreed to participate in the program, aiming to address concerns surrounding banned firearms before the extended deadline of Oct. 30, 2026.