The laws that govern Canadian firearm owners. Updated as legislation changes.
Step-by-step guide to Canada's Possession and Acquisition Licence. Realistic timelines.
How gun-friendly each province is for firearms owners in practice.
Quebec maintains a separate provincial long-gun registry and stricter storage/transport rules than other Canadian provinces, creating dual oversight for PAL holders buying, storing, and transporting firearms.
British Columbia's CFO enforces federal firearms law with restrictive interpretation, particularly in metro areas. Real-time RCMP data sharing and strict transport rules create friction for PAL holders.
Ontario's CFO denies handgun transfers de facto in Toronto despite no explicit ban. Predates C-21. PAL holders hit hard.
Nova Scotia enforces federal C-21 but lacks clear provincial standards, creating unpredictable enforcement that favors urban restrictions over rural hunting traditions.
New Brunswick enforces federal firearms law without additional provincial restrictions. RCMP handles licensing with longer-than-average processing times. PAL holders face C-21 rules only.
Manitoba enforces federal firearms law without aggressive provincial restrictions. PAL holders experience straightforward CFO processing and reasonable transport authorization.
Alberta avoids layering additional provincial firearm restrictions beyond federal C-21 requirements and maintains an active Firearms Advisory Committee representing shooter interests.
Real Canadian ammo prices. Weak CAD means a 30% premium vs US retail.
| Calibre | CAD Price | USD Equiv | Avail. | Trend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.62x39 | C$0.65/rd | ~US$0.48 | Low | ↓ | AK-platform banned by OIC. Demand cratered. |
| 6.5 Creedmoor | C$2.10/rd | ~US$1.55 | Low | ↑ | Growing precision rifle use. Import limited. |
| 12 Gauge | C$0.85/rd | ~US$0.63 | High | → | Hunting-oriented. Plentiful nationwide. |
| .308 WIN | C$1.65/rd | ~US$1.22 | Moderate | → | Bolt-action staple. Still widely stocked for hunting. |
| .223 / 5.56 | C$0.85/rd | ~US$0.63 | Moderate | ↑ | OIC-banned rifles created demand drop then stockpiling. |
| .22 LR | C$0.14/rd | ~US$0.10 | High | → | No import restrictions. Most accessible caliber in Canada. |
| 9mm Luger | C$0.42/rd | ~US$0.31 | High | ↑ | Import-dependent. Weak CAD vs USD adds ~30% vs US retail. |
