06/10/2026
Federal Gun Confiscation Program Arrives in Manitoba as Amnesty Order is Extended
The federal government's Assault-Style Fi****ms Compensation Program (ASFCP) officially began operations in Manitoba on June 9th, with a mobile collection unit making its first stop in Steinbach. The drive-through collection process allows affected firearm owners to surrender prohibited fi****ms and receive compensation without leaving their vehicles. Additional stops are planned in communities including Selkirk and Dauphin.
The confiscation program stems from the federal government's
May 2020 prohibition of thousands of firearm models and variants, which was further expanded in March 2025. As of March 31, more than 67,000 fi****ms had been declared nationwide, including 2,442 in Manitoba.
RCMP reservists, rather than frontline officers, are conducting collections to minimize impacts on regular policing services. The City of Steinbach has stated that it is not involved in administering the federal program.
Meanwhile, in March 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear an appeal challenging the May 2020 prohibition. As a result, the federal government has extended the Amnesty Orders, which will now expire 90 days after the Supreme Court renders its decision.
In announcing the extension, the government stated that it is intended to provide certainty to firearm owners and businesses by ensuring they remain protected from criminal liability while the appeal proceeds. Given that a hearing is unlikely before early 2027 and a decision could take several months afterward, the amnesty could realistically remain in effect well into next summer.
The Manitoba Wildlife Federation continues to oppose the federal confiscation program, joining provincial governments (including Manitoba), national fi****ms organizations, and stakeholders from across Canada who have criticized the initiative as costly, ineffective, and disconnected from measures that would meaningfully address criminal misuse of fi****ms.
For more information, read The Carillon's coverage: Federal 'assault style' gun buy-back program makes MB debut.