The initial application process has always served as a frustrating first step in Canadians' firearms ownership, but it's about to get easier, potentially. Now, the Canadian Firearms Program has launched a new online application process that should streamline things if you meet the criteria.
It appears most applicants will be able to use the online portal. The exceptions listed are mostly special-case scenarios which would need to get a human from the CFP involved. The site says the online portal is for first-time applicants at least 18 years old who've never held a PAL, POL, FAC or Minor's Licence. They must be a Canadian resident, and not be seeking exemptions for First Nations status, or sustenance hunting or trapping, or a photo waiver.
Pretty basic stuff. Of course, online applicants must have a digital photo to submit and a photo guarantor, a valid email for the applicant and their references, a couple of pieces of government ID, information from current or former conjugal partners (if applicable), and credit or debit for payment.
You can see the full terms of the program at the RCMP's website here. Note that the RCMP plans to offer many other Canadian Firearms Program services online in the future. As per that website:
The Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) is updating our processes and services to provide faster, easily accessible service to clients. As a first step, we’re introducing the MyCFP Account - a single access point portal for secure online services provided by the CFP. You can use your MyCFP Account to apply for a firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) online and check your application status.
More CFP services will be added to the MyCFP Account portal over the next several years, but you will need to access them through Individual Web Services, Business Web Services, Police/Public Agency Web Services, and the Firearms Reference Table until that time. Services will also remain available on paper and through our call centre at 1-800-731-4000.
Stay tuned, then!
On the surface, this looks like it could make things a lot easier for aspiring Canadian shooters. The mail-in procedure has long added extra expense and wait times to first-time licence applications. In theory, the new online process can save weeks of waiting on back-and-forth through the mail, especially if the application needs some correction. This should be discovered immediately, instead of waiting for lettermail.
However, there will be human involvement at some point in the chain, and that's where the problems will likely arise. The Canadian Firearms Program has long had a reputation for delay, and many report those problems are worse since COVID-19 ground our government bureaucracy to a halt. While the new online service may streamline user experience and reduce unnecessary steps, the ultimate roadblock will, as always, be the human factor. As well, first-time applicants must be able to find a training program before submitting that certification to the CFP, and in many regions, that's still a difficulty.
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