Police in B.C. raise concerns about 'readiness' of federal software behind firearms 'buyback'

OTTAWA — A provincial policing association raised concerns about the “readiness” of a federally developed case management system to track the handing over of government-banned firearms, according to a letter sent to federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. 

The document, penned by the British Columbia Association of Police Chiefs and sent back in early September, outlined their concerns surrounding the program while also underscoring their support for it, stating that members were committed to collecting firearms safely “and in a manner that builds public trust.”

“At the same time, (British Columbia Association of Police Chiefs) members are united in their concerns regarding the current case management system (CMS), the project timelines, and the overall readiness of the program,” reads the Sept.9 letter, signed by John Brower, assistant commissioner of the RCMP in B.C., and Matt Hardy, a superintendent with Vancouver police.

The letter, released to National Post under federal access-to-information legislation, was also sent to B.C.’s public safety minister.

“Based on feedback from our members and operational realities across the province, we do not believe the (case management system) will be ready in time to allow for the necessary training or deployment during the amnesty period,” it read.

Last year, the federal government extended the amnesty period until October 2026, shielding firearms owners from liability who possess one of the more than 2,500 makes and models of guns deemed “assault-style,” which the federal government has banned since 2020.

The Liberals now plan to launch the compensation program sometime this month to provide firearms owners with money in exchange for them turning over their weapons before the amnesty period concludes.

Leanne MacLeod, interim executive director of the B.C police chief’s association, clarified in an email that the case management system, which its leadership referred to in the Sep. 9 letter, was the federal software being developed that the Public Safety department and its policing partners would use to administer the program, including the web portal where gun owners register and the actual tracking of the firearms themselves. 

She said the comments about the system’s readiness were based on “ initial program launch timelines,” adding the association sent another letter back in November for a status update “in line with new potential launch timelines.”

“This is not a concern about local police IT readiness, but whether the infrastructure will be ready in time to support training, coordination, and operational deployment.” 

A response from the public safety department has not yet been returned.

An email to an RCMP official, also released to National Post under federal access law from back in August, summarized points from a meeting that took place with the public safety department regarding the program and upcoming pilot in Cape Breton,

“(Public safety) provided an overview of the approved approach – November national launch,” the Aug.27 email stated.

Anandasangaree had initially stated in the fall that the national program would be launched by the end of last year. By December, his office confirmed that the date had been pushed back until January 2026. 

At the time, it did not provide details as to why. The minister told reporters at the time that some “minor adjustments” had to be made to the technology involved, as some “technical glitches” had been encountered.

His comments came after the six-week pilot in Cape Breton had concluded, the results of which officials released last week.

It ultimately showed that 25 guns had been turned in by 16 participants. When it was initially launched, the federal government said it could have accepted a maximum of 200 guns.

Firearms groups and their lobbyists, who have long opposed the program, have pointed to those results to argue it was a failure and repeated calls that Carney ought to scrap the initiative. The minister himself has defended the program as being successful in terms of allowing the government to test the system on an operational level.

The B.C. police chiefs’ association, in its Sept. 9 letter and subsequent statements, has recommended the public safety department deploy mobile units “as the primary” way to collect firearms as a workaround to concerns about police training and resources, with agencies in the province ready to help by way of providing security.

It is a model that  Anandasangaree and federal officials have confirmed would employ, outside of striking agreements with police services and provinces, to assist with collection. 

The police chiefs in B.C. also raised concerns about what they characterized had been up until then a lack of communication.

“We must also underscore that up until the beginning of September there has been no communication with police agencies regarding the details of this program. This lack of engagement is particularly concerning given current staff resourcing pressures, the demands of FIFA 2026 planning, and other critical issues facing police services across the country.”

While police in Halifax, Winnipeg and Cape Breton have pledged support for the program, along with the Quebec government, others, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, have rejected taking part, same with Yukon, with police services across the Greater Toronto Area saying they have yet to make a decision.

The RCMP has confirmed that its firearms program would assist in contacting affected gun owners to participate.

A senior Mountie, in thanking other RCMP officials for their assistance with a technical briefing that accompanied the launch of the Cape Breton pilot, also hinted that launching the program was no picnic for the police force.

“This is no doubt a challenging program, and appreciate all the hard work!” wrote Bryan Larkin, the force’s senior deputy commissioner.

National Post

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