Alberta
Province moves to protect firearms owners from federal confiscation effort
Second action taken under the Alberta Firearms Act
Alberta will require individuals and organizations employed to confiscate firearms to first be licensed by the province.
This action fulfils a commitment under the Alberta Firearms Act to require individuals or organizations including police officers to first be licensed by the province.
Despite opposition from provinces and territories to the use of police resources, the federal government is signalling that it is prepared to take front-line police officers off the street to implement the federal firearms confiscation program.
Public Safety Canada also appears to be considering contracting with untrained personnel to supplement the use of policing resources.
“Public Safety Canada is a large and inefficient bureaucracy. It does not have the resources or the wherewithal to fulfil its plans. In normal circumstances, the federal government would have hit the pause button. Unfortunately, we continue to receive indications that the opposite is occurring. Their decision to move forward with the confiscation program will jeopardize provincial requirements for the safe handling, transportation and storage of firearms. We will not allow that to happen.”
As Canadians’ concerns about violent crime rise, the decision to potentially waste policing resources and contract with untrained personnel is reckless and would compromise public safety by jeopardizing the safe storage and handling of firearms, two areas of provincial jurisdiction.
“The Alberta chief firearms office continues to call on the federal government to focus its resources on illegal firearms activity rather than targeting law-abiding firearms owners. Taking firearms away from responsible owners will not improve public safety.”
Quick facts
- This regulation does not affect normal police activity, such as having to confiscate a firearm as part of an investigation.
- There are 341,988 possession/acquisition licence holders in Alberta.
- Albertans own the second-highest number of firearms classified as restricted or prohibited by the federal government.
- There are 127 approved shooting ranges and more than 650 firearms-related businesses in Alberta.
- On average, 30,000 Albertans complete mandatory firearms safety course training annually, as a first step to obtaining their firearms licence. In 2021, that number jumped to 38,000, indicating a significant upward trend in legal gun ownership in the province.
Alberta
Official statement from Premier Danielle Smith and Energy Minister Brian Jean on the start-up of the Trans Mountain Pipeline
Alberta
Protecting the right to vote for Canadian citizens: Minister McIver
Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver issued the following statement in response to Calgary City Council’s vote to extend the right to vote to permanent residents:
“Yesterday, Calgary city council passed a motion advocating for permanent residents to be extended the right to vote in civic elections. Alberta’s government has been clear since the beginning: only Canadian citizens are able to vote in civic elections. That will not be changing.
“The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms affirms the right of every Canadian citizen to vote and to run as a candidate. This right extends to voters in municipal, provincial and federal elections.
“Protecting our democracy is of the utmost importance. Our provincial election legislation, like the Local Authorities Elections Act, has also been clear since its inception that voting is a right of Canadian citizens.
“Alberta’s government is also ensuring that voting is accessible for more Albertans. The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act proposes to enable special ballot access for any voter who requests it, without having to provide any specific reason such as physical disability, absence from the municipality or working for the municipal election. The ministries of Seniors, Community and Social Services and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction are also making it easier for individuals to obtain the identification Albertans need for a variety of services, including the ability to cast a ballot.
“Our government will continue to protect the integrity of our elections and make sure voting is accessible for all Albertans who are Canadian citizens.”
-
Alberta1 day ago
Alberta’s vision for passenger rail
-
COVID-192 days ago
Former Canadian lawmaker has no regrets about refusing COVID shot despite losing his job
-
COVID-192 days ago
Peckford: Hallelujah! Supreme Court of Canada to hear Newfoundland and Labrador charter case
-
Alberta1 day ago
Three Calgary massage parlours linked to human trafficking investigation
-
Uncategorized1 day ago
Making Alberta a geothermal energy leader
-
Alberta2 days ago
Canada’s postal service refuses to help with Trudeau’s gun ban buyback program: report
-
conflict20 hours ago
Columbia on Lockdown After pro-Palestinian Protesters Take Over Building, Hold Janitors Hostage
-
Canadian Energy Centre20 hours ago
North America LNG project cost competitiveness