An Update from the Commissioners – March 15, 2023

Since public proceedings ended we have been making steady progress preparing our final report, and are preparing to share it publicly on March 30. This work includes:

• Reviewing, analyzing and piecing together the immense amount of information received during the course of our investigations and proceedings.
• Discussion and deliberation about the main findings, recommendations and lessons learned in the many areas outlined in a complex mandate.
• The writing, reviewing, editing, translation, and layout of the final report itself.

In order to fulfil our mandate, the final report will share our detailed findings of what happened, and address each specific area outlined in our Orders in Council. The report will be organized thematically across seven volumes. Additional materials, such as an executive summary, appendix, and annexes will also be provided alongside the report. Recommendations, main findings, and lessons learned will be woven throughout the report, and provided in a full list. The report and all the related materials will be available on the Commission website MassCasualtyCommission.ca, and will be preserved and available through Library and Archives Canada for future access.

Given the length and scope of the final report, it will take time for people, including Participants, media and stakeholders to review and digest the material. We know no one will have the time to read the report in advance or even on the day of the release. We encourage everyone to take the time to read and process the report, then begin the sustained and collaborative conversations and work required to implement the recommendations.

Release of the final report

Recently, we announced that the final report would be released in-person at the Best Western Glengarry in Truro, Nova Scotia, and via webcast on the Commission’s website on March 30, 2023.

• The report will be released at 12 p.m. noon ADT
• Participants, government, community, stakeholders, media and members of the public are welcomed to attend. Please RSVP by contacting info@masscasualtycommission.ca if you plan to attend.
• The report’s release will also be webcast and the report will be posted at www.masscasualtycommission.ca

Ahead of the report’s release

There is already considerable information on the Commission’s website about the issues we have been examining. In preparation for the final report and after its release, we encourage everyone to use these resources and continue important conversations about community safety.

• Environmental Scan of Prior Recommendations includes 2000+ recommendations from 71 Canadian reports on related topics
• International Scans include reviews of mass casualty events and responses in New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• Commissioned Reports and other documents include rigorous analysis of related issues, including lessons learned from previous mass casualties.

All of these documents are available on the Research and Commissioned Reports page on our website.

Like all of the Commission’s work, the final report is the result of the contributions of many people, including the families, Participants and their counsel, First Responders, witnesses, experts in roundtables, community organizations, the media, service providers, the public, and the Commission teams. Once again, this has been a collective effort, and we thank everyone for coming forward and helping the Commission do this important work. Community safety is a shared responsibility. We heard from families, Participants, community members on wanting to see change and the importance of action. There will be recommendations for everyone to take up and continue the work of improving community safety together.

A reminder that if you or someone you know needs support or help, please make use of the wellness support resources listed on our website.

Sincerely,

The Mass Casualty Commission

Hon. J. Michael MacDonald, Chair

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

Dr. Kim Stanton