WE ARE IN!

We’re pleased to announce that the National Firearms Association has been granted leave to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada in the appeal brought by the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, Maccabee Defense, Wolverine Supplies, O’Dell Engineering, Burlington Rifle and Revolver Club, Montreal Firearms Rec Centre, Ryan Steacy, Christine Generoux, John and Vincent Perrochio, Michael John Doherty, Nils Robert Ek, Richard Willian Robert Delve, Lindsay David Jamieson, Mark Roy Nichol, Peter Craig Minuk, Jennifer Eichenberg, David Bot and Leonard Walker. 

While the CCFR understandably and deservedly deserves the lion’s share of the credit, this appeal has been carried forward through the collective efforts of all of the appellants, each of whom deserves recognition for seeing this challenge through to Canada’s highest court. We look forward to adding our voice to the proceedings and assisting the Court as an intervener. 

We are stronger together.

Every party before the Supreme Court has an important role to play.

As an intervener, ours is not to introduce new evidence or simply repeat the submissions of others, but to assist the Court through a distinct constitutional perspective. Our intervention is concerned not only with the legislation at issue, but with the broader legal principles that define the relationship between Canadians and their government. The precedents established by the Supreme Court rarely remain confined to the facts of a single case.

They become part of the constitutional fabric that guides future governments, future courts, and future Canadians. It is that broader constitutional framework that the National Firearms Association seeks to address.

Our submissions will focus on the separation of powers and the role of the democratically elected legislature in deciding what conduct will be punishable by incarceration. Allowing the government executive to decide what conduct constitutes criminal conduct, without legislative criteria and without robust judicial oversight, undermines the separation of powers and ultimately undermines the rule of law.

We are proud to contribute that perspective to the Court’s deliberations. 

This is not just an appeal; it is an opportunity.

Some lawyers build careers around routine litigation. Jason Gratl has built his around constitutional questions that shape Canadian law.

For more than twenty years, Mr. Gratl has represented clients in some of the country’s most significant public interest and constitutional cases, regularly appearing before appellate courts—including the Supreme Court of Canada. His practice has earned him a national reputation for tackling difficult legal questions, challenging government action, and defending the constitutional principles that underpin a free and democratic society.

A former President of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and an experienced Supreme Court advocate, Jason is recognized as one of Canada’s leading constitutional litigators. His work has influenced the development of Canadian constitutional law across a wide range of issues, making him a trusted advocate in cases of national importance.

When the National Firearms Association sought counsel for its Supreme Court intervention, we wanted someone with the experience, credibility, and constitutional expertise to ensure our voice would be heard. We found exactly that in Jason Gratl.