Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell sent a letter to the RCMP telling the federal government that Saskatchewan will not put any resources into the gun buyback program..In 2020, the federal government prohibited about 1,500 types of guns and wants to implement a gun buyback program..The Saskatchewan government will not participate in the buyback program or commit any resources..“As the federal government continues to plan for their confiscation program, it is important to make it clear to you, the Commanding Officer of our provincial police service, that the Government of Saskatchewan does not support and will not authorize the use of provincially funded resources for any process that is connected to the federal government’s proposed “buy back” of these firearms,” states the letter.. GunsGuns .Instead, the province will focus on criminals using firearms and getting illegal or smuggled guns off the streets, hoping to reduce gang violence..“However, we do not support initiatives that will impact law-abiding, RCMP vetted hunters, sport shooters, ranchers, farmers, and others who use firearms for lawful and good purposes,” said Saskatchewan’s Chief Firearms Officer Robert Freberg on Gormley’s Wednesday radio show..Freberg called the buyback program a “confiscation program” and the provincial government will not spend any money on it..“We’re saying this isn’t a priority to use our taxpayers’ dollars,” said Freberg..The Saskatchewan government gives more than $200 million to the Saskatchewan RCMP each year for “policing operations.”.The RCMP will have to decide about its policing in the province as the funding would be affected..Freberg said the RCMP would need federal funding to operate in Saskatchewan without the province’s $200 million and does not think the federal government would put in the funding shortfall..“[It depends] whether they have other resources or other funding or other ways that they could get people into the province to do that. But as you know, they’re significantly understaffed in the province to begin with,” said Freberg..Alberta Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro had already come out and said that Alberta will not take part in the buyback program.
