The Government of Canada has extended the federal firearms amnesty beyond the previously scheduled October 30, 2026, expiry date. The amnesty period is now 90 days after the Supreme Court of Canada renders its decision on appeals challenging the firearms prohibition. This decision is not expected before mid-2027.
Affected Yukoners and businesses will remain protected from criminal liability during the extended amnesty period provided they continue to comply with amnesty conditions.
The extension applies to all amnesty orders associated with prohibitions put in place in May 2020, December 2024 and March 2025.
In May 2020, the Government of Canada reclassified over 1,500 models and variants of firearms as prohibited. Additional prohibitions made in December 2024 and March 2025 have brought the total to over 2,500 models. Federal amnesty orders were introduced to protect affected firearm owners and businesses from criminal liability while they complied with the new prohibitions.
The amnesty period has been extended several times. On March 19, 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada granted leave to hear appeals challenging the legality of the May 2020 prohibition. The amnesty period now extends to 90 days following the delivery of the Court's decision on these appeals.
The Government of Yukon has consistently opposed the Government of Canada’s Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP) and its related prohibitions. Developing and passing a Yukon Firearms Act is a key mandate commitment of the Yukon government.
The Yukon Government jointly with the Governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut shared these concerns with the federal Minister of Public Safety and requested a northern exemption or a solution that recognized the reality of life in the north.
On October 7, 2026, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill 11, the Yukon Firearms Act in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. This proposed legislation would allow for the creation of a new firearms advocate for the Yukon, who would be responsible for:
- advocating on behalf of lawful Yukon firearm owners;
- supporting education, training and safety initiatives to support owners and to improve public safety outcomes related to firearms;
- advising the Minister of Justice on firearms issue; and
- communicating with the public, including individuals and businesses, on firearms-related issues to hear and understand Yukoners’ perspectives.
The federal government’s unreasonable firearm policy and related prohibitions have serious criminal consequences for many responsible Yukon firearm owners and businesses. Our government will continue to raise these concerns with the federal government. Limited policing resources should instead be devoted to increasing community safety, improving police services and social supports for Yukoners and targeting criminals and organized crime.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]