Most Yukon MLAs oppose the Trudeau Liberal’s gun grab scheme, saying some firearm owners depend on hunting to feed their families. 

The Yukon Legislative Assembly on Wednesday adopted a motion urging the government to ensure RCMP resources are not used to enforce the federal government’s gun grab program. The motion passed with the support of the Yukon Party and Yukon NDP MLAs. All Yukon Liberal government MLAs voted against the motion.

The motion reads, “THAT this House urges the Yukon government to ensure that territorial policing resources are not diverted to assist in the implementation of the Government of Canada’s gun ‘buyback’ program.”

In May 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he was banning more than 1,500 models of firearms, including AR-15s. The Liberals said they plan on spending up to $250 million buying back the guns.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino has written to all the provinces and territories and asked for help collecting the guns. Specifically, he’s asked for provincial police to act as confiscation agents.

Yukon Party Justice Critic Brad Cathers, who introduced the motion, said police resources must not be diverted from focusing on organized crime and other public safety issues. He said that licenced firearms owners and those who depend on hunting to feed their families must be respected.

“The National Police Federation, which is the union representing RCMP members, has made it clear that the Trudeau government’s Order in Council prohibiting various firearms and the ‘buyback’ program will divert police resources away from dealing with organized crime,” Cathers said. 

“RCMP members said the federal Liberal government’s firearms measures actually divert important personnel and resources from where they are needed most. We are happy the motion passed, and hope the territorial government will respect the will of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.”

Yukon’s move follows that of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and most recently, New Brunswick.

As first reported by The Counter Signal, the Government of Alberta sent instructions to the RCMP K-Division, the arm of the federal police force with authority in Alberta, to ignore orders from the Trudeau Liberals to confiscate firearms. 

The orders came after Medicino requested the Alberta government’s help in implementing the program. 

Alberta Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro said he would obstruct the gun grab by any means necessary.

“Alberta is not legally obligated and will not offer any provincial resources to the Federal Government as it seeks to confiscate lawfully acquired firearms,” Shandro said.

Saskatchewan Chief Firearms Officer Bob Freberg also revealed the province wrote to the RCMP saying “no provincially funded resources of any type,” including the RCMP, will be used for Medicino’s buybacks.

Manitoba and New Brunswick have now also said they don’t want their provincial resources being used to target law-abiding firearms owners.