An advocacy organization challenged the constitutionality of federal legislation repealing the long‑gun registry created under the Firearms Act.
The applicant argued that eliminating the registration requirement for non‑restricted firearms violated s. 7 of the Charter by increasing risks to life and security of the person, and violated s. 15 by disproportionately endangering women, particularly in situations of intimate partner violence.
The court held that the alleged harm resulted from private violence rather than state action and that s. 7 does not impose a positive obligation on the state to maintain a risk‑reduction regulatory scheme.
The evidentiary record failed to establish a causal link between repeal of the registry and increased violence or gender‑based harm.
The legislation was therefore constitutional and represented a policy choice within Parliament’s authority.
