The Government of Yukon is developing firearms legislation. The proposed firearms legislation will allow us to appoint a firearms advocate for the territory, who would be able to:

  • support and advocate on behalf of lawful Yukon firearm owners and those impacted by firearms;
  • support education, training and safety initiatives on firearms;
  • advise the Minister of Justice on firearms issues; and
  • communicate with the public on firearms to hear and understand Yukoners’ perspectives.

Current situation

The Government of Yukon strongly opposes the Government of Canada’s Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) and related prohibitions. We’ve confirmed the federal government will not use territorial police resources to collect firearms.

We’re also concerned that the ASFCP prohibits lawfully acquired firearms that have legitimate uses:

  • for wilderness protection;
  • in hunting larger animals;
  • for sport shooting;
  • for collecting; and
  • in other legitimate activities.

The amnesty period for the firearms that were legally acquired and were prohibited by the federal changes remains in place until 90 days after the Supreme Court of Canada can consider cases before it relating to the prohibitions and the ASFCP.

Understanding the authority of different levels of government related to firearms

Federal government

The Government of Canada oversees the ownership and use of firearms. They also create and enforce the laws related to firearms, including the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.

The federal legislation enables:

  • determining eligibility to obtain and issue firearms licences, including licences and authorizations for prohibited firearms or restricted firearms;
  • setting training requirements, including designating Canadian Firearms Safety Course instructors and administering tests;
  • ensuring the safe transportation and storage of firearms;
  • overseeing compliance and inspection of firearms businesses, museums and shooting ranges; and
  • operating the Canadian Firearms registration system.

The Firearms Act also sets out the creation and implementation of the Canadian Firearms Program. Within each jurisdiction in Canada, the Chief Firearms Officer administers this program.

The Chief Firearms Officer is not directly involved with the ASFCP.

Provincial versus territorial governments

Provinces and territories can make their own laws governing firearms, but they cannot override federal laws. For example, the Yukon’s Wildlife Act further governs the use of firearms for the purpose of hunting and harvesting in the territory.

Provinces get their law-making authority from the Constitution Act, while Yukon is empowered to create laws by the federal Yukon Act. This means that if a Yukon law conflicts with a federal law, the federal law prevails. The Yukon also cannot make laws that go against the federal criminal law.

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Want to provide your feedback in person?

Attend a drop-in information session and feedback-sharing event on Monday, July 20 from 5 to 7 pm at the Whitehorse Public Library