Canada Firearms Centre Overview

The Canada Firearms Centre (CAFC) was created by an order-in-council in 2003 to oversee the administration of the Firearms Act and the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP). The Firearms Act and its related regulations govern the possession, transport, use and storage of firearms in Canada. The objective of the CFP is to help reduce firearms-related death, injury and crime and to promote public safety through universal licensing of firearms owners.

The delivery of the CFP depends upon a partnership involving the federal government, provincial governments and law enforcement agencies.

The Program also relies on federal partners, such as the Canada Border Services Agency and International Trade Canada (ITCan).

Public safety is the founding principle upon which the Firearms Act and the CFP were created. The CFP has maintained this principle since its inception.

The Commissioner of Firearms heads the CAFC. The Commissioner reports directly to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) and oversees operations of the Program.

The Commissioner of Firearms is assisted by a team of senior managers and the Program Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC is chaired by the Commissioner of Firearms and is made up of experienced individuals who provide ongoing advice on the policy, design and delivery of the CFP. Provincial Chief Firearms Officers (CFO) also play a key role.

The Registrar of Firearms is responsible for the decision-making and administrative work related to registration certificates, authorizations to export and authorizations to import. In addition, the Registrar maintains and operates the Canadian Firearms Registry, which houses data related to licensed firearms owners and to the registration of all firearms in Canada.

Provincial CFOs are appointed by provincial ministers, and federal CFOs are appointed by the minister of PSEPC. CFOs are key administrators of the Program. They are responsible for the decision-making and administrative work related to activities such as licensing, authorizations to transport and authorizations to carry. They also designate instructors for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course.

The CAFC headquarters is in Ottawa, and its data processing and national call centre site is in Miramichi, New Brunswick, which handles the processing of license and registration applications.