‘We’re suing him’: CCFR takes Bloc Quebecois leader to Court

The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights is taking Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet to court, accusing him of defamation over comments he posted following the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Fifteen victims were killed on December 14, 2025, when gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration in an attack Australian authorities have described as antisemitic terrorism inspired by ISIS ideology.

In the aftermath, Blanchet published a statement on X questioning why society continued to “turn a blind eye to the gun lobby,” which he accused of “feeding on this hatred.”

CCFR Vice President of Public Relations Tracey Wilson says the organization believes those words created an unacceptable connection between Canadian firearms advocates and terrorists.

“Somehow he’s created a false connection between two Islamic State terrorists committing an anti-Semitic terror attack on a beach in Australia to the gun lobby,” Wilson told Rebel News.

The CCFR initially gave Blanchet an opportunity to clarify his comments, Wilson said.

“If you weren’t talking about the CCFR when you said the gun lobby, who were you talking about?” she asked. “We are Canada’s gun lobby.”

According to Wilson, Blanchet did not provide the clarification the organization sought.

“We’re tired of it and we’re not going to take it anymore,” she said. “So we’re suing him for defamation and he’s going to answer for what he said.”

Wilson said the organization is seeking an apology and retraction, arguing that the case is about accountability more than money.

“We have to start holding our politicians to a higher account,” she said.

She also accused governments of focusing their firearms policies on licensed owners rather than criminals using illicit weapons.

“This has never been a conversation about public safety. It’s a political conversation,” Wilson argued. “Gun bans are blocky. They create political movement. They are for votes.”

For the CCFR, Wilson says the lawsuit could mark the beginning of a broader effort to challenge politicians over statements made outside Parliament.

“We’ve decided to make an example out of this,” she said. “Going forward, this is how it’s going to be.”