The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the New Brunswick government to oppose the use of provincial resources in Ottawa’s gun confiscation scheme.

“The Holt government needs to stand up for New Brunswick taxpayers and refuse to help Ottawa waste more public money on this failed program,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director and General Counsel. “Confiscating firearms from licensed, law-abiding citizens won’t make communities safer, but it will cost taxpayers millions.”

The federal government recently launched a pilot project in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to confiscate firearms from individual Canadians. This marks the first step in enforcing Ottawa’s 2020 ban on more than 2,500 models of firearms, all of which were legally owned by Canadians who had passed safety courses and background checks.

Since the federal ban took effect, violent firearm offences in Canada have increased every year.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that compensation for confiscated firearms could cost $756 million. Once administrative and enforcement costs are factored in, experts warn the total could climb to more than $6 billion.

By comparison, the federal long-gun registry was originally projected to cost $2 million but ultimately exceeded $2 billion.

“The federal government has a long record of wasting money on ineffective gun control,” said Drover. “Taxpayers in New Brunswick should not be forced to fund another costly political stunt from Ottawa.”

The National Police Federation, representing RCMP officers, has warned that Ottawa’s program diverts critical resources away from tackling the criminal use of illegal firearms. Police associations and academics across the country have repeatedly said the confiscation program will not reduce gun crime.

Premiers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario have already confirmed they will not use provincial resources to support the federal confiscation scheme. The CTF is calling on Premier Susan Holt to do the same.

“New Brunswick should focus on real solutions to crime, not Ottawa’s expensive performance art,” said Drover. “Holt must reject this confiscation scheme outright.”