Bill 42 (The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025)
Second Reading

From Hansard (26 November 2025)

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Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I now move second reading of The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025.

Mr. Speaker, in 2023 this government passed The Saskatchewan Firearms Act to implement provincially based administration of licensing of legal firearms. That Act serves the dual functions of promoting public safety in Saskatchewan and administering firearms in a manner that protects the rights of lawful firearms owners. This bill further expands these two key functions of that Act.

First, the amendments provide legal firearms owners the right to fair compensation for lawfully owned firearms that have been rendered valueless because of the federal government’s recent firearms laws. Under these new rules, Mr. Speaker, a firearm is deemed to be seized by the federal government if the firearm is subject to the new federal firearms laws and the owner does not receive full fair-market compensation under the Act within 12 months after the federal law comes into effect.

If the firearm is deemed to be seized, the owner may submit a request for fair compensation based on fair-market value by the Saskatchewan firearms commissioner, and the Government of Canada is required to pay the owner the full fair-market value of the firearms. If the Government of Canada refuses to pay the fair-market compensation to the owner, the owner could choose to bring a claim against the federal government for recovery of that compensation.

Mr. Speaker, these compensation rules will apply to both handguns that were impacted by the former federal Bill C-21 as well as firearms that have been impacted by the federal orders in council in more recent years. In addition to providing fair compensation to owners, these compensation rules also serve an important public safety function by discouraging certain owners from turning to the illicit market to try and get value for their now-valueless firearms.

Second, the amendments made additional updates to enhance public safety. These changes include clarifying the Saskatchewan firearms office’s authority to inspect firearm ranges and designate firearm safety instructors, allowing medical professionals to report individuals who may suffer from a condition that makes it dangerous to possess or use a firearm, and finally by implementing other administrative updates to clarify the enforcement of the Act.

Saskatchewan has a strong tradition of promoting the safe and lawful use of firearms for activities such as hunting, sport shooting, and predator control. These amendments will build on those traditions and help Saskatchewan firearms office carry out its important functions.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move second reading of The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025.

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