Public Safety Minister’s Remarks on Gun Buyback Program Leaked

OTTAWA—A leaked audio recording has revealed Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree describing the gun buyback program as driven by electoral pressures from Quebec. Despite significant opposition from various provinces, police, and gun owners nationwide, Anandasangaree’s comments indicate a commitment to proceed with the Trudeau-era gun ban and buyback initiative.

Revelations from the Audio Recording

The recording, lasting approximately 20 minutes, captures a conversation between Anandasangaree and his tenant, a frustrated gun owner who discreetly recorded the discussion. In this exchange, the minister expressed personal commitments, including a promise to cover any financial shortfall if the government compensation for banned firearms falls short of what the tenant originally paid. He also suggested he would assist the tenant if he faced legal consequences for non-compliance with the buyback program, although he contended that enforcement would be left to the police.

Clips from the conversation surfaced online after the tenant shared them with the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights. The tenant, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, believed the content was in the public interest. The Toronto Star has confirmed the authenticity of the recording.

Minister’s Response and Political Context

In a statement, Anandasangaree acknowledged that his comments were “misguided” but reaffirmed his support for the buyback program, emphasizing its importance in addressing crime and removing firearms from circulation. He stated, “On Sunday, I had a conversation with an individual I have known for many years, who recorded it without my knowledge before it was distributed by a gun lobbyist.”

He highlighted the political dynamics at play, noting that “Quebec is in a different place than other parts of Canada,” suggesting that the buyback program is particularly relevant to Quebec’s electorate. “This is something that is very much a big deal for many of the Quebec electorate that voted for us,” he stated.

Anandasangaree’s comments also acknowledged the conflicting views surrounding the program, especially given that most gun crimes in Canada are committed with illegal firearms. He stated, “Don’t ask me to explain the logic to you on this, OK?” when pressed on the effectiveness of the buyback initiative in addressing gun crime.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implemented the sweeping ban on over 1,500 “assault-style” weapons in 2020 following a tragic mass shooting in Nova Scotia that resulted in 22 deaths. Notably, the shooter was not a licensed gun owner and acquired most of the weapons illegally.

As the conversation unfolded, Anandasangaree indicated a desire for a different approach if given a chance to start over, yet he maintained that fulfilling the buyback promise was essential. “This is the mandate I was given by Mark Carney to complete this, and not revisit this,” he stated.

The Liberal government is set to announce the launch of the buyback program on Tuesday, including a pilot project in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Critics continue to voice concerns about the program’s effectiveness and implications for legal gun owners across the country.

As discussions about gun control policies evolve in Canada, this incident highlights the challenges faced by lawmakers in balancing public safety with the rights of firearm owners. More updates are expected as the situation develops.