Question Period Note: Nova Scotia Shooting Update

The Mass Casualty Commission has continued hearings throughout the summer, with testimony provided by senior RCMP members.

• The Government supports the Mass Casualty Commission’s mandate. It is our hope that this independent inquiry will provide a full accounting of what happened for the families of the victims and the public.

• RCMP witnesses have appeared before the Mass Casualty Commission during the summer of 2022, including the Commissioner and other senior officers.

• The RCMP continues to be an active participant in the Mass Casualty Commission and remains committed to support its important work.

On April 18-19, 2020, several shooting incidents occurred at multiple locations in Nova Scotia (NS), resulting in the deaths of 22 people, including the on-duty death of RCMP Constable (Cst.) Heidi Stevenson. Three people were also injured, including RCMP Cst. Chad Morrison. Another incident took place at the Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade hall when two RCMP members discharged their firearms towards a civilian they mistook for the gunman. No injuries resulted from this incident and an investigation was conducted by the independent Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team. No charges followed the investigation.

The investigation revealed that Gabriel Wortman was the sole gunman.

On October 21, 2020, federal and provincial Orders-in-Council established terms of reference for a joint federal-provincial public inquiry (subsequently known as the Mass Casualty Commission [MCC]) to examine and provide a report, including recommendations to government, regarding the mass shootings.

The MCC has created “Foundational Documents” to share key facts and events about the mass casualty event. The participants were consulted on the contents of the Foundational Documents and have provided feedback on them.

Public proceedings started on February 22, 2022. To date, the RCMP has disclosed over 70,000 items, through Justice Canada, to the MCC, including; the entire mass shooting investigative file, over 500 RCMP policies, and training materials from hundreds of RCMP courses. The RCMP has also facilitated on site visits and examination of physical evidence by MCC investigators. In addition to the subpoenas, the RCMP has responded to many more informal requests for information or follow-ups to provide clarity on the materials.

During the summer of 2022, several RCMP witnesses appeared before the MCC to respond to questions regarding areas such as RCMP public and post-crisis communications, as well as gender-based and intimate partner violence. Several senior RCMP members testified before the committee, including RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki (August 24 and 25); Assistant Commissioner (Retired) Lee Bergerman (August 23 and 24), Commanding Superintendent Chris Leather (July 27 and 28), and Superintendent Darren Campbell (July 25 and 26). RCMP members are continuing to appear before the MCC as requested, including Deputy Commissioner Brian Brennan (September 9).

When issued, the Orders-in-Council required the MCC to submit its final report no later than November 1, 2022. Recently, the MCC was granted an extension to March 31, 2023 to complete its report. All other portions of the MCC proceedings will be completed as scheduled.

Every effort is being made to use a trauma-informed approach with all involved, including RCMP members and employees.

The RCMP will continue to fully support the MCC and will provide a full accounting of the events. The RCMP knows the victims’ families, their friends and the public want answers. The RCMP has, and continues to share the information it can with the families through designated liaisons, as well as the coordinated investigative team.

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