Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question. data on the specific makes and models of firearms used in crime are collected by individual law enforcement agencies across Canada for record keeping purposes. There is no central database at the national level with this information.
With respect to part (b), extensive public engagement on the issue of banning handguns and assault-style firearms, or ASFs, led by the then Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, took place between October 2018 and February 2019 with the provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners, law enforcement, community organizations, and industry. The engagement process included a series of in-person meetings and virtual submissions, of which the following Indigenous organizations participated: Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service; File Hills First Nation Police Service; Assembly of First Nations; Congress of Aboriginal Peoples; Grand Chief of Atikamekw; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Kwanlin Dün First Nation; Métis National Council; Native Women’s Association of Canada; Treaty #3 Indigenous Police Service; Treaty 7 Chiefs.
In the context of Parliament’s consideration of former Bill C-21, in 2022 and 2023, there was extensive parliamentary debate and engagement with Indigenous groups and stakeholders on ASFs. A broad range of views and considerations were raised, including the public safety imperative of achieving a comprehensive prohibition of ASFs and concerns regarding potential impacts on hunting. From January to May 2023, the Government of Canada held discussions with a number of National Indigenous Organizations, Modern Treaty and Self Government Agreement Holders, and Indigenous communities to understand concerns and obtain a better understanding of the impacts of prohibiting firearms, that is, how firearms are used by members of Indigenous communities, key capabilities and features of firearms, impacts of firearm prohibitions/substitutions.
With respect to part (c), in the context of Parliament’s consideration of former Bill C-21, officials held virtual and in-person discussions: on January 20, a virtual technical briefing with National Indigenous Organizations; on January 27, a virtual technical briefing with Modern Treaty and Self-Government Agreement Holders; on March 8, virtually with the Manitoba Metis Federation; onMarch 14, in person with Tribal Chiefs Ventures; on March 15, in person with the Manitoba Metis Federation; on March 16, in person with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc; on March 27 and April 21, virtually with the Metis National Council, Metis Nation British Columbia, Metis Nation Alberta, Metis Nation Saskatchewan, Metis Nation Ontario, and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak; on March 28, virtually with the Metis Nation BC; on April 6, in person with the Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Coordinating Committee; on May 3, virtually with the First Nations Chiefs of Police;on May 10, in person with the Native Council Prince Edward Island; on May 24, virtually with the Wolastoqey Nation New Brunswick; on May 25, virtually with the Native Council of Nova Scotia
Overall, Indigenous organizations were supportive of initiatives to enhance public safety initiatives, while also underlining the importance of upholding rights recognized and reaffirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Indigenous organizations noted the importance of consultation to identify and consider potential adverse impacts on hunting and harvesting, food sovereignty, conservation, cultural practices/traditions, and protection from predators on the land.
With respect to part (d), through the Canadian Firearms Program, licence holders were informed of the December 5, 2024 and March 7, 2025, prohibitions through several methods of communication. Individuals and businesses received a notification detailing the impacts and options, which was sent by email; those without an email address on file were advised by mail.
Additionally, the Canadian Firearms Program published web content and updated its toll-free phone line with a recorded notice.
This is in addition to the news releases and backgrounders published by Public Safety Canada.