This is federally mandated in Canada -- the PAL. Don't even have to be a resident to apply and get one, just pass the test and have somewhere in Canada to have it mailed.

How to load, clear, hold a gun; familiarity with different types of gun and ammo; laws and regs. I still see people doing dumb shit at the range, but generally less than when I lived in the US.

By law you don't need a PAL to get ammo or parts, but most stores around here (I'm in AB) require it for any sort of gun-related purchase.