Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham takes questions from the media in the foyer of the House of Assembly in St. John’s on Jan. 7, 2025. The Canadian Press/Paul Daly
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest province to announce it will not participate in the federal gun buyback program, saying police resources should instead be directed toward addressing violent crime, drug-related activity, and repeat offenders.
The province made the announcement in a Jan. 27 news release, saying the federal program “does not reflect the realities of the province or align with its public safety priorities.” The province also said it has concerns about the program’s practicality, the strain it could place on police resources, and whether it would deliver “meaningful improvements” in public safety.
