(Halifax) The chair of the public inquiry into the April 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia said Monday that the commission wants to make “clear and pragmatic” recommendations at the end of its third and final phase of work. .
Posted at 4:53 p.m.
In a statement read at the hearings in Halifax, Michael MacDonald said the commission is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that its findings help prevent similar events from happening again. The final part of the investigation – known as the Mass Casualty Commission – began on Monday and will focus on making recommendations.
Over a 13-hour period on April 18 and 19, 2020, a gunman driving a replica police cruiser killed 22 people in the small rural community of Portapique, Nova Scotia, and in northern and central New Brunswick. province.
“We need to come up with recommendations that can help improve the safety of the communities most affected by the mass casualties and of all communities in Nova Scotia, Canada and beyond,” said MacDonald. Recommendations that are clear, pragmatic and ready for implementation so that people in our governments, institutions and communities can act immediately. »
Since the inquest began work in early 2021, followed by public hearings in February, Mr MacDonald said it has brought to light a ‘greater understanding of what happened’ at the 17 crime scenes . The Inquiry released 31 foundational documents, over 3000 supporting source documents, 19 commissioned reports and over 1100 research and policy documents as well as 20 additional reports from the Inquiry team.
Investigators conducted more than 240 interviews with witnesses, including 79 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). They also heard from 90 experts during fact-finding round tables.
“This investigation is of national importance and this scope will continue to inform our approach in our final phase,” added Mr. MacDonald.
On Monday, the inquiry released a 376-page document that reviewed 71 reports containing more than 2,000 recommendations from inquiries and reviews conducted in Canada between 1989 and 2022. Commission counsel Jennifer Cox said the The analysis examined recommendations relevant to the Mass Casualty Commission, involving elements such as internal and public police communications, police oversight and training as well as gender-based violence.
“Among the recommendations that have already been made, are there things that could have been recommended that were not recommended? asked M.me Cox. The other thing we want to do is gather ideas on how to make improvements in the future. »
She added that the purpose of looking back is to help “shape” the recommendations of the inquiry.
Throughout September, the inquest will hear from people who have not yet testified. It will also collect suggestions from organizations, residents and the general public on how to make communities safer.
Last week, retired Nova Scotia Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commander Lee Bergerman and Commissioner Brenda Lucki told the inquest that their organization needed more resources because Policing costs continued to rise.
During his testimony, Mr.me Bergerman noted that the RCMP has long complained about the lack of personnel and equipment needed to adequately police the province.
The deadline for the final report of the public inquiry into the April 18-19, 2020 shooting has been extended by five months and is now expected by March 31, 2023.
The report examining the circumstances of the murders of 22 people by a gunman driving a replica police car was originally due on 1er november.