REGINA — The provincial and federal government have officially signed over responsibility of Saskatchewan’s firearms program, with the appointment of first Chief Firearms Officer Robert Freberg.
"This is the culmination of over a year of hard work to move to a provincial firearms program that better represents the needs of Saskatchewan citizens," said Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell.
Freberg was formally appointed on Monday, after serving as the interim designate since August of 2020.
"We are in very good hands with Mr. Freberg, and we are confident he will do everything in his power to advocate for responsible firearm owners in this province,” said Tell.
Freberg is the first CFO chosen by the province rather than the federal government, and he will now oversee the Firearms Act in the jurisdiction of Saskatchewan, which includes enforcement of licensing, storage, transportation and carrying of firearms policies.
"I have known Saskatchewan gun owners my whole life and I know they stand for safe, responsible, and accountable ownership of firearms," Freberg said. "It will be an honour to serve them and to advocate for them at the provincial and national level."
Saskatchewan chose to take oversight of it's firearms program last year, making it the seventh province to choose to have it's own provincial CFO appointed. Previously, the position of CFO was a federally appointed and funded position.
Negotiations are reportedly underway as to which jurisdiction will finance the program moving forward, but the bill will be split between provincial and federal governments.