TheGunBlog.ca — The number of Canadians with a gun licence rose to a record in 2022, defying the governing Liberal Party’s increased political and legislative attacks on firearm users.
PALs Exceed 2.26 Million
- A new high of 2,264,755 men and women had a government-issued firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) at December 31, 2022.
- Source: Kim Chamberland, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, e-mailed the information to TheGunBlog.ca today in response to our request for the data.
- The Ottawa-based RCMP oversees the licensing regime.
Why It Matters
- That’s the most PAL holders since the regime took full effect in 2001, and 1.2% more than the previous record in 2021. Licencees as a percentage of all adults held relatively steady at 7.2%.
- Gun ownership gained in popularity, even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals expanded their restrictions, prohibitions and confiscations targeting PAL holders.
- Demand for licences climbed as people across the country get guns for activities ranging from protection, safety and self-defence to recreation, competition, hunting and collecting.
Data Table: PALs By Province and Territory
Source for 2022 Data: RCMP, Response to TheGunBlog.ca, 30 January 2023
| Province/Territory (Alphabetical) | Individual PALs (2022) | 5-Year Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 346,851 | +15.7% |
| British Columbia | 340,363 | +18.2% |
| Manitoba | 96,569 | +10.7% |
| New Brunswick | 71,652 | +5.2% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 74,532 | -0.1% |
| Northwest Territories | 5,847 | +3.6% |
| Nova Scotia | 76,007 | +3.7% |
| Nunavut | 3,344 | -10.7% |
| Ontario | 633,460 | +7.3% |
| Prince Edward Island | 6,668 | +8.4% |
| Quebec | 484,687 | -1.2% |
| Saskatchewan | 116,480 | +10.3% |
| Yukon | 8,295 | +13.6% |
| Canada Total | 2,264,755 | +7.8% |
Charts
These are the same charts as at Canada Gun Facts and Stats.