Question Period Note: Nova Scotia Shooting Incident- Charges

Charges have been laid for the shooting incident in Nova Scotia that resulted in multiple deaths.

• The tragic events which occurred on April 18 and 19, 2020 spurred an investigation titled Operation H-Strong. Investigative teams are dedicated and working tirelessly on this investigation to provide answers for the victims, their family members and the public.

• The Nova Scotia Public Inquiry, among other factors, will be examining the role that gender-based and intimate partner violence played in the mass shooting.

• I want to thank all those who have spent thousands of hours working on this investigation for their dedication and resolve.

• On December 4th, the RCMP confirmed they had charged three people in relation to the April 18-19 Nova Scotia shootings.

• To ensure a fair trial for those who have been charged and with the public inquiry now ongoing, the most appropriate and unbiased opportunity to provide any additional information is to do so with our full participation in the inquiry. The RCMP will respectfully refrain from further commenting on these matters outside of the inquiry.

On April 18-19, 2020, a sequence of shooting incidents occurred at multiple locations in Nova Scotia (Portapique and other locales), resulting in the death of twenty-two individuals, and the injury of three others, including the death in the line of duty of RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson, who was responding. Constable Stevenson is survived by her two young children and husband. Another RCMP officer, Constable Chad Morrison, received non-life threatening injuries, and is recovering.

The tragic incidents spurred an investigation titled Operation H-Strong. Investigative teams are dedicated and working tirelessly on this investigation to provide answers for the victims, their family members and the public.

The perpetrator, Gabriel Wortman, is deceased; however, investigations related to the events of April 18-19, 2020 remain ongoing, with some information having been released to the public. This includes information related to Wortman’s vehicle and the police uniform Wortman donned during the incidents. While one vehicle driven by Wortman resembled an RCMP vehicle, and he wore police clothing, including a uniform shirt, during the incident, he was not an RCMP employee.

In light of the evidence gathered during the course of the investigation, on December 4, 2020, the RCMP charged three people in relation to providing the gunman with ammunition:

The RCMP has charged the following individuals:
• James Blair Banfield, 64-years-old of Sackville
• Lisa Diane Banfield, 52-years-old of Dartmouth
• Brian Brewster, 60-years-old of Sackville

For the following offences: between the 17th day of March and 18th day of April 2020, unlawfully, transferred ammunition, specifically, .223 caliber Remington cartridges and .40 caliber Smith and Wesson cartridges, contrary to Section 101 of the Criminal Code.

The RCMP is committed to enforcing the law and will continue to do so, while working to find answers for survivors and their families.

Throughout the investigation, the RCMP has been mindful that the release of information publically causes distress for families and others closely associated to those who lost their lives or were injured. Through the assigned RCMP Family Liaison Officers, families have been notified of these charges. The RCMP will continue to work with the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service and RCMP’s Family Liaison Officers will maintain their relationships with victims' families to support them however they can.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police takes all reported allegations of criminal activity very seriously, including domestic violence. The RCMP is committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and their families, and ensuring investigations are robust, professional and result in justice. The Nova Scotia Public Inquiry, among other factors, will be examining the role that gender-based and intimate partner violence played in these events.

To ensure a fair trial for those who have been charged and with the public inquiry now ongoing, the most appropriate and unbiased opportunity to provide any additional information is to do so with our full participation in the inquiry. The RCMP will respectfully refrain from further commenting on these matters outside of the inquiry.

None