Detailed Regulatory Stock Review Plan 2025–2030
| Title or Working Title of the Regulations | Preclearance in Canada Regulations |
|---|---|
| Enabling Act | Preclearance Act, 2016 |
| Rationale | Robust and efficient regulations are reviewed periodically and amended as required to align with intended policy objectives, evolving legislation and government priorities. |
| Narrative | The regulations are being reviewed in 2025 as required by the Preclearance Act, 2016, five years after it came into force. |
| Date of last review or amendment (Year) | N/A |
| Targeted start for review (Year) | 2025 – review is currently underway. |
| Stakeholder Feedback (once complete) | Applicable information will be added once available. |
| Outcomes (once complete) | Outcomes will be posted on the Public Safety Canada's website once the review has been completed. Outcomes:
|
| For further information | Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement |
| Departmental or agency contact: | Mike McGuire Directory General, International and Border Policy 613-991-2842 Mike.McGuire@ps-sp.gc.ca |
| Title or Working Title of the Regulation(s) | Firearms Regulatory Regime (including Firearms Classification) |
|---|---|
| Enabling Acts | |
| Rationale | Over time, with successive legislative and regulatory change, firearms regulations, including the classification regime, have become complex and the potential for duplication increases. In addition, and supported by calls for reform from experts and stakeholders, the Mass Casualty Commission has recommended that the classification system be reformed with an emphasis on simplicity and consistency. |
| Narrative | As it relates to the review of firearms regulations as a first step, Public Safey Canada (PS) will assess the potential use of digital tools, including artificial intelligence to identify areas that may be complex, inconsistent, duplicative or difficult to interpret. This approach will help inform future efforts to enhance the regulatory framework. PS is also working to launch a review of the classification regime with an expected duration of one year. PS officials have reconvened an Expert Advisory Panel to provide advice on parameters for the review and are developing options for broader engagement, including with Indigenous peoples. These initiatives are expected to result in options to reform the firearms classification regime and to enhance effectiveness of firearms regulations, the aim being to protect public safety, facilitate compliance and support effective administration by simplifying regulatory language and eliminating unnecessary or duplicative requirements. |
| Date of last review or amendment (Year) | There have been a number of recent amendments to Firearms Act and Criminal Code regulations (firearms classification). The Firearms Act Regulations were last amended on 2025-03-07 (SOR/2025-48 ): Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 159, Number 6: Regulations Amending the Firearms Licences Regulations (Notice of Suspension). Relevant Criminal Code regulations were last amended on 2025-03-07 (SOR/2025-86): Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 159, Number 7: Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited or Restricted. |
| Targeted start for review (Year) | The review will begin in 2025-2026 and the process is expected to be completed in 2026-27. |
| Stakeholder Feedback (once complete) | Stakeholder feedback on the review plan will be included once consultation is completed. |
| Outcomes (once complete) | Outcomes will be posted on Public Safety Canada website once the review is complete. Outcomes:
|
| For further information | Applicable information will be added once available. |
| Departmental contact | Firearms Policy Directorate Crime Prevention Branch ps.firearms-armesafeu.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca |
| Title or Working Title of the Regulations | Review of the Cannabis Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations |
|---|---|
| Enabling Acts | |
| Rationale | Robust and efficient regulations are reviewed periodically and amended as required to align with intended policy objectives, evolving legislation and government priorities. |
| Narrative | The Review will cover both the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Cannabis Act Police Enforcement Regulations (PER) as they are intimately related and should provide the same types of exemptions to law enforcement agencies and officers. In conducting the Regulatory Review, Public Safety Canada will consult with the Drug Advisory Committee of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), the Organized Crime Committee of the CACP, the Military Police, the Public Prosecution Services of Canada, and other stakeholders as may be required. As part of its review, Public Safety Canada will consider the final report of the expert panel Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act, published in March 2024, as well as considerations related to the pilot project in British Columbia to decriminalize personal possession of certain substances under exemptions in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Cannabis Act. |
| Date of last review or amendment (Year) | The PER were last amended in July 2022 to clarify authorities: |
| Targeted start for review (Year) | The PER’s review began in 2023-2024 and the process is expected to be completed in 2025-2026. |
| Stakeholder Feedback (once complete) | Stakeholders feedback on the review plan will be included once consultation is completed. |
| Outcomes (once complete) | Outcomes will be posted on Public Safety Canada website once the review is complete. Outcomes:
|
| For further information | Applicable information will be added once available. |
| Departmental or agency contact: | Kristin McLeod Director, Drug Policy Division Crime Prevention Branch |
| Title or Working Title of the Regulations | Regulations Amending the Secure Air Travel Regulations (SATR) |
|---|---|
| Enabling Acts | |
| Rationale | To modernize the SATR, which complements the authority of the SATA. |
| Narrative | Sections 3(1) and 4 of the SATR require that air carriers verify the identity of each passenger, who appears to be 18 years or older and list acceptable types of physical identification. With advancements in technologies, air carriers are looking to leverage digital identification and biometric verification to facilitate the movement of travelers through the travel continuum and many are in the process of developing pilot projects to test this new technology. The proposed amendments will eliminate redundant ID requirements for air carriers and encourage them to invest in new innovative technologies. Canadians can expect shorter wait times and smoother boarding, as well as less reliance on manual ID checks that can be prone to human error or unconscious bias. Together, these changes will build a stronger and more modern air travel system, while protecting Canadians from threats. |
| Date of last review or amendment (Year) | October 2022. |
| Targeted start for review (Year) | 2024 |
| Stakeholder Feedback (once complete) | Stakeholders feedback on the review plan will be included once consultation is completed. |
| Outcomes (once complete) | Outcomes will be posted on Public Safety Canada website once the review is complete. Outcomes:
|
| For further information | Applicable information will be added once available. |
| Departmental or agency contact | Public Safety Canada Transport Canada |
For more information
- Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
- The Cabinet Directive on Regulation
- Developing and Improving Federal Regulations
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.
- Date modified: