Rebel News Podcast — The Gun Show with Sheila Gunn Reid

Episode: Charlottetown says no to the gun buyback
Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Sheila Gunn Reid
Guest: Tracy Wilson, Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights (CCFR)

Overview

This episode celebrates a significant policy victory for gun owners: Charlottetown’s city council unanimously rejected a federal request to participate in the controversial “assault-style firearm” buyback program. Host Sheila Gunn Reid is joined by Tracy Wilson of the Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights, who helped lead advocacy efforts in Prince Edward Island. Together, they break down how the win happened, what it means in the broader fight against the national gun buyback, and the ongoing resistance from conservative provinces and municipalities across Canada.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Charlottetown City Council’s Rejection of the Federal Gun Buyback (00:23–11:18)

• Sheila introduces the council vote as a “big victory in Charlottetown for firearms owners.”
• The city’s 10-member council unanimously voted not to collaborate with the federal assault-style firearm compensation program.
• Rationale for Rejection:
  • Duplication of Federal Responsibilities: Councilors argued administration should reside with the RCMP, not stretched municipal resources.
    • “It would also place additional strain, in my opinion, on our administrative and operational staff at a time when our resources are already limited.” (Protective & Emergency Services Committee Chair, 02:25)
  • Federal Downloading: Councilors opposed the federal government shifting costs and responsibilities onto municipalities and taxpayers.
    • “This is, in my view, a download of federal responsibilities onto municipal government.” (Anonymous Councilor, 04:03)
  • Controversy and Misinformation: The program is viewed as targeting law-abiding gun owners and being riddled with misinformation and unclear goals.
  • Focus on Illegal Guns and Real Crime: Frustration that federal policy “misses the boat” by focusing on legal gun owners instead of illegal guns and actual violent crime.
    • “There doesn’t seem to be any emphasis put on illegal gun owners and illegal guns that are on the streets in this country. That’s where to my mind, the federal government I think has missed the boat.” (Councilor Terry Bernard, 08:10)

Notable Segment:

• The council session (02:01–11:18) features direct statements from multiple councilors expressing rationale and principled opposition—culminating in a 10–0 vote against participation.

2. Behind the Scenes: How Activism Changed the Outcome (11:18–13:47)

• Sheila credits activists for shifting the council’s view, especially Tracy Wilson and the CCFR's local efforts.
• Tracy describes a crucial meeting organized by the Big Boot Gun Club that brought in stakeholders—including some councilors, the mayor, and law enforcement—for a fact-based Q&A.
  • “The only information that these city councils...receive is what they're getting from Gary Ananda Sangaree...they thought they were doing this great thing...We were able to intervene with a bunch of stats and information and literally flip that vote.” (Tracy Wilson, 11:46–13:47)

3. Federal Buyback Program: A Failing Initiative? (13:47–16:17)

• The Liberals seek to claim victories in “economically disadvantaged but reliable Liberal voting” areas but with little success (as seen in Cape Breton and now Charlottetown).
• Concerns regarding exorbitant costs (e.g., $7,000 per firearm collected in Cape Breton).
• Municipalities like Winnipeg have signed on, attracted by federal money, but there’s evidence of "buyer’s remorse" and little local enthusiasm.
  • “There’s a great big check that comes with signing these deals...Of course everybody needs some money for infrastructure, for their police budgets, for everything. So they’re desperate.” (Tracy Wilson, 14:54)

4. The Role of Provincial Resistance (16:17–21:50)

• Alberta and Saskatchewan stand firm against federal confiscation efforts. Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith is praised for defending firearms rights and self-defense.
  • [Clip] Danielle Smith:

  “Our UCP government will be introducing a new motion under the Alberta sovereignty...act that will instruct all provincial entities...to refuse to enforce or prosecute under the federal gun seizure program.” (18:40–19:09)

• Saskatchewan introduces a safe storage solution for residents caught in legal limbo due to federal bans—meant as a temporary measure until federal policy changes.

Notable Quote:

• “Your most basic human right is to protect your life and the life of your family and your children. Like, it should not be a controversial issue at all.” (Tracy Wilson, 19:27)

5. The Political and Logistical Collapse of the Buyback (21:50–26:20)

• Time and logistics work against the buyback—rolling it out nationwide is seen as impossible and losing political support.
  • “Picking up about 2 million guns across the country the size of Canada in the next three weeks is not going to happen.” (Tracy Wilson, 22:08)
• The driving force behind the program is identified as pressure from Quebec and antigun lobbyists, not public safety concerns.
  • “Why are millions of people being punished for the crimes of one madman?” (Tracy Wilson, 23:43)

6. Rising Provincial-Territorial Coalition Against Ottawa (28:01–30:31)

• The Yukon’s election of Curry Dixon signals a growing block of provinces and territories in open opposition to federal gun policy.
  • “That block of provinces and now territories supporting...fighting back against the gun grab, it just keeps growing.” (Sheila Gunn Reid, 28:01)
• Emphasis on the importance of grassroots involvement and not relying solely on advocacy groups to protect rights.

7. How Listeners Can Take Action (30:31–33:56)

• CCFR’s approach: grassroots organizing, overwhelming city councils, and AGMs, massive letter-writing campaigns.
• Tracy Wilson urges listeners to join CCFR (membership: $40/year) and participate in local and national advocacy.
  • “The bigger we get, the more influential we are...There’s no minimum requirement...whatever you can do, however much or little of your time you can give. We need all the help we can get.” (Tracy Wilson, 33:01–33:56)

8. Viewer Feedback and Government Transparency (34:43–42:57)

• Sheila reads and discusses audience messages about the government allegedly deleting records related to the Freedom Convoy and Emergencies Act.
• Concerns about lack of transparency and consequences for government actions.
  • “Canadian authorities view themselves as rulers who don't have to listen to citizens.” (Listener comment, 40:06)
  • “Those records are to be preserved, and they are relevant in current court cases.” (41:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Unanimity:

  "Not only did we win the vote and the motion was defeated to help the Liberals, but it was unanimous. Ten out of ten city councillors voted against it. And they even had little speeches and spoke against the actions by the Liberal government."
  (Tracy Wilson, 13:14)

• On Federal Overreach:

  "Our municipality is already stretched, responding to core local priorities. Planning, infrastructure, housing, transit, protective services. And I firmly believe that we should not be taking on responsibilities that fall squarely within the federal jurisdiction."
  (Councilor, 04:03)

• On Why the Buyback Is Failing:

  "We are blowing 50 cal sized holes in the side of this gun ban and it is eventually, it has to fail."
  (Tracy Wilson, 21:50)

• On Activism:

  "Every single win we've had along the way is because of Boots on the Ground.”
  (Tracy Wilson, 31:05)

• On Public Involvement:

  "We can’t necessarily vote our way out of this...We have to show up at these things because it’s happening to us.”
  (Sheila Gunn Reid, 30:51)

• On Government Record-Keeping:

  “So the government commits an illegal act and nothing happens...imagine if you just deleted evidence. Would you be held in contempt of court? At the very least. But it's the feds, so they can make up excuses for not retaining records relevant to current court cases.”
  (Sheila Gunn Reid, 42:09–42:28)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• City Council Statements & Vote: 02:01–11:18
• Tracy Wilson Recaps the Advocacy Effort: 11:18–13:47
• Breakdown of Federal Buyback Failures: 13:47–16:17
• Alberta and Saskatchewan Resistance: 16:17–21:50
• Discussion of Growing Anti-Buyback Bloc: 28:01–30:31
• Call to Action for Listeners via CCFR: 32:20–33:56
• Audience Feedback on Record Deletion: 34:43–42:57

Conclusion

This episode stands as both a victory lap for grassroots advocacy in defending firearms rights at the municipal level and a call to arms for ongoing resistance across Canada. Sheila Gunn Reid and Tracy Wilson outline actionable options for listeners, celebrate local engagement as key to political victories, warn of ongoing federal pressure, and underscore that the anti-gun agenda’s logistical and political foundations may be crumbling—provided gun owners continue to organize and speak out.

Final Words:

“Don’t let the government tell you that you’ve had too much to think.”
(Sheila Gunn Reid, 42:57)