Canada to Send Hundreds of Assault Weapons to Ukraine

Canada has banned 324 models of assault weapons, announcing plans to collect and send them to Ukraine to support its defense against Russia.

Defence Minister Bill Blair made the announcement, confirming the government's collaboration with firearm distributors and retailers to remove these weapons from Canadian soil.

Minister Blair stated that Canada's initiative aims to aid Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.

He emphasized that “any assistance we provide Ukrainians is a step toward their victory.”

Under an amnesty program extended until October 2025, Canadian firearm owners will be compensated for turning in banned weapons.

About 14,500 firearms are expected to be repurposed for Ukraine's use.

The announcement coincided with the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 14 women were killed in 1989.

This tragedy remains a pivotal moment in Canada’s history, influencing the country’s approach to gun control.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc stressed the importance of honoring victims of mass shootings by tightening gun control measures.

“Our goal is to ensure no community or family ever again suffers the devastation of a mass shooting in Canada,” he said during a press conference.

Nathalie Provost, a survivor of the École Polytechnique shooting and a vocal advocate for gun control, expressed mixed emotions about the ban, calling it "a big step forward."

While mass shootings are less frequent in Canada compared to the US, gun-related violence has been on the rise over the past decade.

Statistics from 2022 reported 1,400 shooting incidents, equating to 36.7 incidents per 100,000 people.