The Sask. Party announced today that they will be providing a certificate of exemption for firearms owners, after they follow steps to register their weapons.
Firearms owners whose guns were reclassified as prohibited under federal law can now apply for a certificate of exemption – shielding them from criminal charges – through a new provincial app.
The Saskatchewan Firearms Office launched the Firearms Verification and Appraisal (FVA) Service on May 4. It is part of the provincial government’s response to federal firearms legislation that reclassified a number of previously lawful firearms as prohibited.
The app is available at saskatchewan.ca/firearms-verification.
Owners apply through a Saskatchewan Account. The SFO reviews each application, confirms which firearms are affected by federal legislation, and issues two documents: a certificate of value and a certificate of exemption.
The certificate of exemption is issued under section 117.08 of the Criminal Code of Canada. It is intended to protect owners from criminal charges once the federal amnesty period ends Oct. 30, 2026.
The certificate of value outlines what the province believes the federal government owes the owner as compensation. There is no cost to apply.
Applicants for the exemption must be Saskatchewan residents, 18 or older, and living full-time in the province.
The provincial legislation also changes how seized firearms are handled. A firearm is deemed “seized” if federal legislation bans it and the owner does not receive fair compensation within 12 months of the ban taking effect. Under the law, the federal government is required to pay fair market value for any firearm seized in Saskatchewan. That value is set by the Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner.
“The federal government continues to target the lawfully-owned property of law-abiding firearms owners and has confirmed they will provide little, or no compensation,” said Tim McLeod, Minister Responsible for the Firearms Secretariat.
SFO Commissioner Blaine Beaven said Saskatchewan residents deserve fair compensation for property he called “needlessly expropriated” by the federal government.
The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police said it backs the framework.
“This service and legislative framework reflects a practical approach to supporting lawful firearms ownership, while allowing police services to concentrate on identifying and addressing the individuals and firearms most often associated with criminal activity in our communities,” said Patrick Nogier, president of the association.
The SFO is developing a toolkit to walk owners through the compensation claim process. It is expected within weeks.
Owners can reach the SFO at 1-833-792-2706 or fvasupport@gov.sk.ca.
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