Canada: Shooting in Tumbler Ridge and Gun Buyback Program

Following the shooting in Tumbler Ridge, which killed 9 people and injured 27, the gun buyback program in Canada is back in the spotlight. The program began in January 2026, following a previous attack in 2020 in Nova Scotia, where 22 people lost their lives.

Canada has stricter gun control laws compared to the US, but gun ownership remains a public concern. According to Professor Blake Brown, Canada has approximately 37.4 firearms per 100 people.

The buyback program offers compensation to owners of 2,500 prohibited types of weapons, including AR-15s, until March 31. After that date, owners must surrender their weapons without compensation.

The Conservative Party and its leader, Pierre Poilievre, have opposed the program, calling it a "gun grab". Some provinces, such as Alberta, have stated that they will not participate in the program.