Ontario has joined Alberta and Saskatchewan as intervenors in the Supreme Court of Canada challenge of the federal use of an Order in Council to prohibit more than 2,500 firearms.
The Ministry of the Attorney General filed a Notice to Intervene on May 19 and has until Aug. 15 to file its arguments.
The Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights (CCFR) and other parties argue that the Liberal Party exceeded its authority by using the order to bypass Parliament to change regulations. More than 2,500 of what the government called “assault weapons,” including .22 rimfires, were prohibited. This led to a compensation program with an October deadline.
After the case was lost in federal court and the Federal Court of Appeal, CCFR announced on March 19 that the case would be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada.
“We argue that this OIC exceeded the intended scope of the Governor in Council's regulation-making power under the Criminal Code, bypassing Parliament in a manner that undermines democratic process and proper limits on executive action,” a release stated.
“It's a very positive step to see Ontario join the fight and we look forward to engaging with other provinces to do the same and stack up behind the CCFR and all the applicants,” said Tracey Wilson, CCFR vice-president of public relations. “Any opposition makes our case stronger. Provinces, law enforcement and every credible expert has disavowed this gun grab as ineffective but the provinces will speak specifically to constitutional questions.”
She called Ontario joining the court challenge significant, saying it sends a “loud and clear message” to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree, and all Ontarians that the province stands with citizens.
“Despite Ford's relationship with Carney and collaboration on many other issues, this gun grab remains an issue they will fight each other on,” she said. “It's great news to Ontario hunters and gun owners and the CCFR welcomes Ontario as an ally.”
“The OFAH has repeatedly asked Premier Ford to take a public position on the buyback program and commit to not using Ontario’s finite police resources going after law-abiding gun owners,” said OFAH Policy Director Mark Ryckman. “We’re glad to see direct action by the Ontario government on this file.”
Before the move, gun owners were being encouraged to talk to their MPP and sign a petition asking the Ontario government to protect firearms owners.
