The Government of Saskatchewan has officially launched a new service aimed at protecting the property rights of law-abiding firearms owners in response to federal reclassifications.
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The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2026, which came into effect on May 4, introduced the Firearms Verification and Appraisal (FVA) Service. The initiative allows residents and businesses to apply for certificates of exemption, permitting them to continue possessing and storing firearms that have been prohibited by federal legislation.
“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, the minister responsible for the firearms secretariat.
Under the new provincial framework, owners can use a digital app to request a “certificate of value.” The Saskatchewan Firearms Office (SFO) will then verify if the firearms are impacted by federal bans and provide an official appraisal outlining the fair market compensation the owner should receive.
The province says these appraisals are a critical step in ensuring owners are exempt from prosecution while they wait for compensation.
“These appraisals recognize the full financial impact on individuals and businesses,” McLeod said.
The program also provides a legal safeguard. Eligible applicants will receive a certificate of exemption issued under the Criminal Code of Canada. These certificates are designed to protect owners from criminal charges once the federal firearms amnesty period expires on Oct. 30, 2026.
Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner Blaine Beaven said the service is a direct response to what he termed a federal “gun grab.”
“While we disagree with the federal government’s approach, we know Saskatchewan residents deserve fair compensation for their property that is being needlessly expropriated,” Beaven said.
The service is available to Saskatchewan residents 18 and older who live in the province full-time. There is no cost to use the app.
The provincial government also noted that if owners do not receive fair compensation within 12 months of a federal ban taking effect, the firearms will be deemed “seized,” triggering a requirement for the federal government to pay the fair market value as determined by the Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner.
The Saskatchewan Firearms Office plans to release a toolkit in the coming weeks to help owners navigate the claims and compensation process.
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