r/canadaguns • u/NecessaryForward7707 • 28d ago
Application / Regulation advice PAL Application Question (NB)
Applied and living in the province of New Brunswick
I applied for my PAL in March of 2026. It was reviewed and assigned to a Firearms Officer (I reached out after a few weeks just to ensure things were in order), and subsequently required a report from a Dr due to depression in the past (while I was serving due to an injury I recieved, I am ok now).
The required paperwork for my Dr was mailed to me and my Dr filled it out and mailed it back themself. They told me they've done a ton of these and it was no issue. After a few months I reached out to the Provincial Firearms Office and was told they had never recieved anything. I checked with my Dr and they ensured me that they 100% filled it out and mailed it correctly.
I emailed the Firearms Office back and relayed what my Dr had said, but I've recieved zero response.
I don't want to bug them, but I'd really like my PAL. Shooting is something I really miss from when I was in the CAF, and I'd love to continue it as a hobby. The phone number for the Provincial Firearms Office is never answered by a human and only leaves the option to leave a message. It's been over a month since I last recieved any form of response between phone and email.
Has anyone else ever experienced them "not receiving" medical paperwork? The paperwork stated it had to be returned within 60 days, is the fact it somehow got lost going to be an issue? Is me reaching out to them this many times going to annoy them? I know with VA if you don't pester them, nothing gets done - I don't know if this is a similar situation. I am aware they're overworked and have a ton of applicants, but it's been 5 months now and I'd hate for my application to get rejected due to the paperwork mishap
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u/TypicalFinding3242 28d ago edited 28d ago
Took mine nearly 2 years from submitting my application to getting my PAL. I called every week or two and got the same “they’re working on it” every time. Mind you - this was mid covid, right as they were discussing the handgun freeze, I was also applying for an RPAL, and I was freshly 18. But 5 months seems pretty normal these days - you should get it soon.
Edit: They also didn’t contact me or any of my references at all.
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u/skelectrician 28d ago
Every province is different. In SK, I waited 7 months for mine and disclosed my divorce and that I was being treated for depression during that time and am not anymore. I never had to get anything signed by a doctor.
I believe it helped that my current partner was applying for her PAL at the same time, so when the CFO called to inform me of her application, I was able to ask about mine. We were issued our licenses simultaneously.
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u/Familiar_Hunt_5164 28d ago
It took 8 months to get mine in Quebec without any issues in my paperwork.
Keep calling the Canadian Firearms program or try to get the Email address for your CFO. My CFO answered Emails atleast.
It's a long wait but I'm sure they will issue yours soon.