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March 23, 2023

This update includes information about the Final Report, including a breakdown of the volumes and information about the Report’s release.

Next week will mark the conclusion of the Commission’s work as a public inquiry with the delivery of the Final Report on March 30th. Ahead of the Report’s release, we wanted to cover some additional details:

The Report

The Final Report will share our detailed findings of what happened, how and why, and address each specific area outlined in our Orders in Council. The Report will be organized thematically across seven volumes:

  • Volume 1: Context and Purpose
  • Volume 2: What Happened
  • Volume 3: Violence
  • Volume 4: Community
  • Volume 5: Policing
  • Volume 6: Implementation
  • Volume 7: Process

The length of the Final Report will be between 2000-3000 pages. We understand 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 over the coming weeks, then begin the sustained and collaborative conversations and work required to implement the recommendations and improve the safety of our communities.

Additional materials, including an executive summary, appendices, and annexes will also be provided. Recommendations, main findings, and lessons learned will be woven throughout the Report, and provided separately in a full list. Recommendations will address topics in the mandate including:

  • Access to firearms
  • Communications between and within law enforcement agencies and other services
  • Communications with the public, including public alerting
  • Gender-based and intimate partner violence
  • Police actions, including operational tactics, response, decision-making and supervision
  • Police policies, procedures and training
  • Prior interactions, and any relationship of the perpetrator, with the police and social services
  • The steps taken to inform, support and engage those most affected.

March 30

The Report will be released on March 30, 2023 at the Best Western Glengarry in Truro, Nova Scotia and through a live webcast on the Commission’s website starting at 12 pm noon ADT. Participants, government, community, stakeholders, media and the public are welcome to attend.

Please email info@masscasualtycommission.ca to RSVP if you have not already. There is no need to RSVP to watch the webcast, it will be available to all on our website.

Once the Report has been officially released, all seven volumes and related materials will be available on the Commission website MassCasualtyCommission.ca. These documents will be preserved and available through Library and Archives Canada for future access.

Order to Mark Exhibits

We have issued an Order to mark a small number of additional exhibits outside of public proceedings. Commission counsel has identified the three documents as being relevant to the work of the Commission and have requested that the Commissioners issue an Order marking each document as an exhibit so they become part of the public record. The Order is available in the Documents section of our website, and the three exhibits are available in our Source Materials library as part of the public record. You can access these documents by filtering your search using keywords of your choosing, or by searching for the COMM numbers below:

  • COMM0059334 - Baseline Intelligence Assessment–Firearms Smuggling in Atlantic Canada
  • COMM0003112 - Forensic Identification Occurrence Report
  • COMM0063524 - Bystander Reluctance to Report IPV to Police Resources compiled for Mass Casualty Commission by Stacey Godsoe

We thank everyone for their continued interest in the work of the Commission. While our work will end with the release of the Final Report, we all share a responsibility to act on the coming recommendations. This will require ongoing commitment from many people and organizations, and we are reassured to know that we are passing the baton to stakeholders, partners and communities far and wide, who are dedicated to help make us all safer in the future.

Next week will be an emotional one for many. 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

Content Warning: The following video contains scenes including the discharging of firearms causing death. There is a “quick exit” button at the top of the website if you need it, and Wellness Supports are also listed.

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Some of the information within this website may be disturbing or upsetting for some visitors. This website deals with information about events that include gun and other violence, including gender-based violence and intimate partner violence. If you need to leave at any point, there is a “quick exit” button at the top of the website. This website also includes some suggested resources, should you be in need of support.

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