An Update from the Commission – September 23, 2022

Marking the end of public proceedings, the Commissioners delivered their final remarks and encourage members of the public to submit their suggestions for change to help make communities safer.

Public Proceedings Conclude

Today marks the end of the Commission’s public proceedings. This milestone reflects the collective hard work of many people over the past seven months, as well as the year leading up to the public proceedings. Thank you to the Commission’s 61 Participants and your counsel for the critical role you have played in this inquiry as well as to the many witnesses we have heard from throughout our investigation and during proceedings, and the individuals who took part in expert roundtable discussions, small group sessions and other conversations. We appreciate your input that will help to inform the final report and recommendations. All of the perspectives we have received are essential to ensuring recommendations are thorough, practical and reflect the needs of communities.

To the families and loved ones of those whose lives were taken—as always—we offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathies and thank you for meeting with us, sharing your experiences and providing your input. We remain dedicated to making positive change in our country to honour the memories of those whose lives were taken, as well as the work of first responders, support providers and others involved in the response to the mass casualty.

Earlier today, we delivered final remarks for public proceedings that summarized our work to date, provided information on what to expect in the coming months, and offered thanks to everyone involved in our work. We encourage you to watch on the webcast or read the remarks on the website.

Throughout public proceedings, the Commission has explored what happened on April 18 and 19, 2020, investigated the broader context of how and why it happened and heard recommendations for ways to help make our communities safer. These important discussions and investigations allowed us to develop 31 Foundational Documents that share key facts and events leading up to, during and after the mass casualty supported by more than 3,800 source materials and additional exhibits. You can find these documents on our website:

Share your suggestions for change

We continue to welcome recommendations on our website from the public that can help make our communities safer. We have provided a discussion guide that introduces the issues analyzed by the Commission and asks questions to help you think about potential recommendations. You can use the guide to help you have conversations with your networks as well.

It is crucial for the public to engage in our work. Once our recommendations have been made, the final report has been shared and the inquiry has ended, it will be up to all of you to turn these recommendations into concrete actions.

All submissions and input received will be considered as we prepare the final report and recommendations. Submissions may be referenced or shared publicly as part of our work, including in the final report. We are accepting recommendations until the end of this month.

Ongoing Work

Though public proceedings are over, the work of the Commission continues. Over the coming months, we will undertake the writing of the final report. The report will include recommendations to help make communities safer and will be submitted by the end of March 2023.

Since proceedings have concluded, we may not provide weekly updates, but we will continue to keep you and the general public up to date on our progress. Please remember, pathways to mental health, wellness and other supports are available if you or a loved one need them. We thank everyone for their continued commitment and interest in the work of the Commission.

Sincerely,

The Mass Casualty Commission

Hon. J. Michael MacDonald, Chair

Leanne J. Fitch (Ret. Police Chief, M.O.M.)

Dr. Kim Stanton