Federal Firearms Buyback Program Faces Criticism Over Cost, Participation, and Effectiveness

Canada’s federal firearms buyback program is drawing renewed scrutiny after a recent pilot phase saw very limited participation, prompting broader debate about its cost, implementation challenges, and overall impact on public safety.

The initiative was launched as part of the federal response to the 2020 prohibition on certain firearm models. It is designed to let owners of newly banned firearms voluntarily surrender them for compensation, with the aim of reducing the number of prohibited weapons in circulation.

Early results, however, have intensified criticism. Publicly discussed figures show that only a small number of firearms were turned in during the pilot, a level of participation that critics say falls far short of expectations. They argue the outcome underscores a gap between the program’s goals and the realities of lawful firearms ownership in Canada.

Licensed gun owners already operate under strict federal rules, including background checks, mandatory safety training, continuous eligibility monitoring, and secure storage requirements. Opponents of the buyback maintain that these individuals are not the primary contributors to gun crime, which they link more closely to smuggling and the illegal firearms trade.

Recent Statistics Canada analysis of homicides where origin information was available indicates that the vast majority of shooting homicides involve firearms that were not legally owned by the accused. In other words, the Canadian Government’s misguided focus on legal, licensed gun owners instead of criminals will not result in a significant reduction of gun violence.

Cost concerns have also become a focal point. The program has required extensive planning, staffing, and coordination with provinces, police services, and private contractors. With low participation in the pilot, critics question whether the significant public spending involved can be justified, particularly at a time of heightened attention to government expenditures and affordability pressures.

Implementation issues have added further complications. Several provinces have expressed reluctance to participate, citing jurisdictional disputes and doubts about the program’s effectiveness. Practical challenges — such as transporting, assessing, and disposing of surrendered firearms — have contributed to delays and rising administrative costs.

Supporters counter that firearms policy must be assessed over the long term and argue that reducing access to prohibited weapons remains an important public safety measure. Federal officials also emphasize that compensation programs are intended to respect property rights while enforcing updated regulations.

Even so, critics argue that resources would be better directed toward border enforcement, action against organized crime, and initiatives addressing the underlying causes of violence. They warn that focusing on compliant gun owners risks diverting attention from strategies that could more directly reduce criminal activity.

As the federal government weighs its next steps, the pilot’s results are expected to influence decisions about whether the buyback will be expanded, redesigned, or reconsidered. Future direction may hinge on participation rates, financial implications, and the program’s ability to demonstrate clear public safety benefits.

The discussion reflects a wider national debate over firearms policy — one that continues to balance public safety priorities, fiscal responsibility, and the rights of lawful gun owners across Canada.

Canadians To Face More Tax Hikes In 2026

Canadians could see their overall tax burden rise in 2026, according to a new analysis from a national taxpayers’ advocacy group, despite the federal government’s plans for targeted tax cuts.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) says that although some income tax reductions are scheduled, increases to payroll deductions and other federal levies are likely to outweigh those savings for many families.

A key change is the planned reduction to the lowest federal personal income tax bracket. The government has promoted the cut as a measure to improve affordability for lower‑ and middle‑income earners. The CTF, however, argues that any benefit will be modest once other tax‑related cost increases are taken into account.

Payroll taxes are set to climb in 2026, with higher Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) contributions. These mandatory deductions affect most workers and are split between employees and employers. According to the CTF, the combined increases could cost individual workers several hundred dollars over the year, reducing disposable income.

The report also points to the ongoing effects of carbon pricing. Although the consumer carbon tax was removed in 2025, the industrial carbon price remains and is scheduled to rise again in 2026. The CTF contends that businesses pass these costs on to consumers through higher prices for goods, services, and transportation, adding to inflationary pressures.

Another expected increase comes from federal alcohol excise taxes, which automatically adjust each year based on inflation. This means beer, wine, and spirits are set for another tax hike in April 2026, affecting both consumers and hospitality businesses.

CTF federal director Franco Terrazzano says the combined impact of these measures means Canadians should not anticipate meaningful tax relief next year. He argues that government revenues are growing more because of higher taxes and mandatory contributions than from economic expansion.

The federal government, meanwhile, defends its approach, highlighting targeted tax cuts and social programs aimed at affordability and economic stability. Officials also emphasize that CPP enhancements are designed to strengthen long‑term retirement security, framing payroll contributions as investments rather than traditional taxes.

Critics maintain that with many Canadians already facing high housing costs, rising food prices, and elevated interest rates, additional deductions and indirect taxes will further strain household budgets.

As 2026 nears, the CTF is urging the federal government to broaden tax relief and rein in spending growth, warning that without changes, Canadians will continue to feel the effects of an increasing overall tax load.

Ottawa Greenlights Plastic Straw Production For Everywhere Except Canada

The federal government has reversed part of its planned phase‑out of single‑use plastics, allowing Canadian manufacturers to resume exporting products such as plastic straws, cutlery, and other items that remain banned within Canada.

The shift comes just as a full export ban was about to take effect. Under the updated policy, companies may once again produce these plastics as long as they are intended exclusively for foreign markets. Government officials say the change reflects concerns that prohibiting exports would damage Canada’s plastics industry without meaningfully reducing global pollution.

A regulatory analysis from the Environment Department found that halting exports would have little impact on worldwide plastic waste, noting that international buyers would simply turn to suppliers in other countries. Canada’s plastics sector generates tens of billions of dollars in economic activity annually—much of it export‑driven—and industry groups had warned that an export ban could jeopardize jobs and investment.

The broader regulatory effort began in 2022, when Ottawa introduced rules banning the manufacture and domestic sale of several common single‑use plastic items, including straws, grocery bags, stir sticks, cutlery, and six‑pack rings. While these products remain prohibited for use within Canada, the new reversal allows manufacturers to meet demand abroad.

Environmental organizations have sharply criticized the decision, arguing that it weakens Canada’s leadership on pollution and climate issues. They contend that permitting production solely for export sends conflicting signals about the country’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and could undermine global efforts to curb plastic pollution.

The government’s policy adjustment underscores the ongoing tension between environmental goals and economic considerations as Canada continues to refine its plastics strategy in the years ahead.

How the Canadian Government Broadened State Powers in 2025

In 2025, the federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced a series of legislative changes that critics argue significantly expanded state authority while reducing individual freedoms.

One of the most debated developments was the passage of Bill C-2, a wide-ranging financial and border security bill. While presented as routine administrative legislation, opponents say it granted the federal government expanded powers to access personal information at border crossings. This included access to sensitive records such as medical, therapeutic, and postal information without requiring a warrant. Civil liberties advocates raised concerns that these measures weakened long-standing privacy protections.

Later in the year, attention turned to Bill C-9, which the government framed as an effort to combat hate speech. Critics, however, argued that the legislation crossed into new territory by allowing increased oversight of religious expression. Concerns were raised that sermons, teachings, and faith-based communications could be subject to government scrutiny, marking a shift in how religious freedom has historically been protected in Canada.

Beyond individual pieces of legislation, observers pointed to a broader pattern of increased federal control over financial systems, personal data, and public expression. These concerns were reinforced by earlier government actions, including the freezing of bank accounts during past protest movements, which critics say demonstrated a willingness to bypass traditional legal safeguards during times of political tension.

Those skeptical of the government’s direction argue that the cumulative effect of these measures represents a fundamental change in the relationship between Canadians and the state. Rather than one dramatic policy shift, they say the expansion of power occurred gradually, with limited public debate and minimal transparency.

Supporters of the government maintain that the measures were necessary to address security, misinformation, and social cohesion in an increasingly complex world. Critics counter that safeguarding democracy requires constant vigilance, particularly when emergency powers or broad authorities become normalized.

The debate over state power and personal freedom is expected to remain a central issue in Canadian politics as the long-term impacts of the 2025 legislative agenda continue to unfold.

How Businesses Should Approach SEO in 2026 and Beyond

As search engines become more sophisticated, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has moved far beyond one-off tactics and short-term gains. Heading into 2026, SEO is a holistic, experience-focused strategy that combines technical performance, high-quality content, user trust, and strong brand authority. Businesses that thrive in search will be those committed to long-term value, not quick fixes.

Outlined below are the most critical SEO best practices businesses should implement to remain competitive and visible in 2026.

1. Prioritize Search Intent Over Keywords

Keywords remain an important part of SEO, but modern search engines place greater emphasis on user intent than on exact-match terms. Google increasingly assesses whether a page fully satisfies the purpose behind a user’s search.

Best practices include:

  • Organizing keywords by intent (informational, navigational, commercial, transactional)

  • Developing in-depth pages that anticipate and answer related questions

  • Optimizing content around topics and entities rather than isolated keywords

  • Writing in natural, conversational language that reflects real search behavior

When content is aligned with search intent, businesses see more stable rankings and higher conversion rates.

2. Produce High-Quality, Experience-Led Content (E-E-A-T)

Google’s continued focus on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust (E-E-A-T) plays a central role in ranking decisions. Content must clearly demonstrate credibility and real-world understanding.

Best practices include:

  • Publishing content created or reviewed by subject-matter experts

  • Featuring author bios, credentials, and transparent business information

  • Supporting key points with data, examples, and firsthand experience

  • Regularly refreshing existing content to maintain accuracy and relevance

As 2026 approaches, shallow or generic content will be increasingly outperformed by well-researched, experience-driven resources that deliver genuine value.

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Lest We Forget

Every year on November 11, Canadians pause to remember the men and women who have served—and continue to serve—our country in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping. Known as Remembrance Day, this solemn occasion honours the sacrifices made by those who defended freedom and peace, often at great personal cost.

Origins of Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day has its roots in the end of the First World War. On November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., the guns fell silent across Europe as the Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany, marking the end of four years of devastating conflict. More than 66,000 Canadians lost their lives during that war, and over 170,000 were wounded.

In 1919, the first Armistice Day was observed across the British Commonwealth to commemorate that moment of peace. In Canada, the day originally honoured those who fought in the First World War, but over time it expanded to recognize veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War, Afghanistan, and Canada’s peacekeeping missions around the world.

In 1931, the Canadian Parliament officially renamed the occasion Remembrance Day and fixed the date permanently on November 11.

Symbols of Remembrance

Perhaps the most recognized symbol of Remembrance Day is the red poppy. The poppy became a symbol of remembrance after the publication of Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s famous poem, In Flanders Fields, written in 1915 after he witnessed the devastation of war in Belgium.

The poem’s imagery of poppies growing among soldiers’ graves inspired the Royal Canadian Legion to adopt the flower as a symbol of remembrance. Each year, millions of Canadians wear a poppy in the days leading up to November 11 as a sign of respect and gratitude.

How Canadians Observe Remembrance Day

Across the country, Remembrance Day ceremonies are held in communities, schools, and workplaces. The most notable is the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, attended by veterans, active service members, government officials, and the public.

At 11 a.m., Canadians observe two minutes of silence—a moment to reflect on the courage, service, and sacrifice of those who have worn the uniform. The Last Post is played, wreaths are laid, and the refrain “Lest We Forget” echoes across the nation.

Why It Matters Today

Remembrance Day is more than a history lesson—it’s a call to remember the human cost of war and the enduring value of peace. It encourages Canadians to honour not only those who served in past conflicts but also those who continue to protect and serve today.

In remembering, we commit ourselves to the lessons of the past and to building a world where such sacrifices are never again required.

Lest We Forget

As time passes and living memories of the world wars fade, the importance of remembrance only grows. November 11 is not just about history—it’s about gratitude, reflection, and responsibility. It reminds us that freedom is not free, and that the peace we enjoy today was built by the bravery and sacrifice of those who came before.

Lest we forget.