The Supreme Court of Canada Hears the CCFR's Challenge to the 2020 Firearm Ban on November 9–10

Civic update · SCC file 41859

On Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) will hear the appeal brought by the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) and co-appellants against the May 1, 2020 Order in Council that prohibited a large group of firearms. The case is SCC file 41859, Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, et al. v. Attorney General of Canada. Credit for leading this case goes to the CCFR (firearmrights.ca).

What the case is about

The 2020 regulations (SOR/2020-96) came into force on May 1, 2020. According to the Court's case summary, they prohibited over 1,500 firearms that had previously been legal for licensed owners. The challenge was brought by licensed owners, hunters, sport shooters, shooting clubs, businesses and the CCFR.

The SCC lists the central question as whether section 117.15 of the Criminal Code allows the federal cabinet (the Governor in Council) to overhaul Canada's firearms classification system this broadly through regulations. The appellants also raise sections 7, 8 and 15 of the Charter.

In its statement on the leave decision, the CCFR says the ban covers "more than 2,500 types of firearms" (a figure that, per the federal government's own count, includes the later 2024 and 2025 prohibitions). The CCFR argues that the Order in Council went beyond the regulation-making power in the Criminal Code and bypassed Parliament. Those are the CCFR's arguments. The Attorney General of Canada is defending the regulations, and the Court will decide.

Heard with three related appeals

The Court will hear the CCFR appeal together with three related appeals: Generoux (41858), Doherty (41860) and Eichenberg (41861). Several interveners will also make submissions, including the Attorneys General of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, as well as shooting-sports, civil-liberties and gun-control organizations. Per the hearing sheet, day 1 is for the appellants and the federal government, and day 2 is for interveners and the reply.

Timeline

• May 1, 2020: The Order in Council (SOR/2020-96) comes into force.
• October 30, 2023: The Federal Court dismisses the applications for judicial review (2023 FC 1419).
• April 15, 2025: The Federal Court of Appeal dismisses the appeals (2025 FCA 82).
• March 19, 2026: The SCC grants leave to appeal.
• November 9–10, 2026: The SCC hearing.
• Decision: No date set. The SCC usually releases judgments some time after a hearing.

How to watch

The SCC says its hearings are webcast live and then archived unless there is a publication ban or other restriction. You can watch on the Court's live hearing page, in video or audio only, in English, French or the floor language. The hearing sheet lists counsel and time allocations, and start times appear on the Court's scheduled hearings page. Past hearings are available on the past hearings page. The SCC notes that its webcasts may not be rebroadcast without permission, so share the link instead of re-uploading the video.

What about the amnesty?

This isn't legal advice. In June 2026, the federal government amended the amnesty orders for the 2020, 2024 and 2025 prohibitions (SOR/2026-114, Canada Gazette Part II, June 17, 2026). The earlier October 30, 2026 end date was replaced. Each amnesty period now ends on the 90th day after the four SCC appeals (41858–41861) are concluded by judgment, dismissal or discontinuance. If the appeals end on different days, it runs from the latest of those days. For your own situation, read the Gazette text and official Government of Canada guidance, or speak with a lawyer.

What's next

We'll post a short follow-up once the hearing wraps, and again when the Court releases its decision. To follow the case directly, visit the CCFR and the SCC's case page.

Sources

• Supreme Court of Canada, case 41859 docket and summary
• SCC counsel sheet, hearings 41858–41861 (Nov 9–10, 2026)
• SCC judgment on leave to appeal
• CCFR statement, March 19, 2026
• Canada Gazette Part II, SOR/2026-114 (amnesty amendments)
• SCC live hearing webcast