Probably one of the biggest problems facing Canadian gunsmiths and gunmakers right now are the restrictions being placed upon American suppliers who wish to export products to Canada. The US State Department has apparently decided anyone residing in Canada is a threat to US security (even if they are a US citizen) so they take care of this by placing restrictions on US businesses (the modern government or businesses wouldn't know free enterprise if it bit them in the ass since they have never experienced a free market system). These restrictions have exacerbated the problem of the disappearing small firearms dealer since he is likely to be unable to generate sufficient income to pay for the increased cost of dealing with the red tape. Canadian business does not make up a sufficient percentage of the American dealer's market for him to care too much and those Canadian dealers who are willing to deal with the bureaucratic impediments actually LIKE these restrictions as they offer an opportunity for increased profits through reduced competition. It is an interesting phenomenon that a government generated "service fee" may actually become a product upon which the business may earn a profit. In other words, a fee of 10 dollars may be marked up by 50% and increase the cost to the consumer by five bucks and produce a 33% profit for the dealer. Not saying this is right or wrong only that it is so. A product which has no tangible, intrinsic value (a government fee), is generating a profit and a cost respectively in another country's economy.
Canadian restrictions on gunsmiths are not that onerous and the Canadian 'smith probably faces less problems than does his American counterpart. After all, the Canadian can freely sell and ship firearms and firearms components nationwide while the the Amercans have been restricted in this since 1968.
In the near future, great challenges will face firearms related businesses; indeed, businesses of all types, on both sides of the border. I'll confess to feeling somewhat pessimistic about what the future may bring no matter which side of the border I am on (I and my brothers move back and forth regularily). Nonetheless, capable businessmen will find ways to do well while poor businessmen (like myself, alas!) will continue to struggle.
As far as gunsmithing is concerned, the customer will pay what is required to maintain the gunsmith in business or he won't. What this required cost might be will, as it always has been, be determined by the not-very-free market system. Regards, Bill.
