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September 9, 2022

This update includes a recap of ongoing work focused on developing recommendations, a look ahead to next week’s proceedings, and the ongoing call for suggestions for change from the public.

What Happened This Week

This week we continued the final phase of our work focused on considering recommendations that will help to make our communities safer.

Continuing our consultations with Participant organizations, on Tuesday we heard from representatives from firearms organizations. On Wednesday, we heard from experts taking part in a roundtable discussion focused on contemporary community policing, community safety and well-being. In another roundtable on Thursday, we heard from other experts talking about the structure of policing in Nova Scotia.

As this week comes to a close, we will have heard from what we anticipate will be our final witnesses, as we wrap up the earlier phases of our work focused on what happened, and exploring how and why it happened. On Tuesday, we heard from RCMP witness Constable Greg Wiley about his interactions with the perpetrator and his involvement in the Butlin case. The transcript of Constable Wiley’s appearance is available on our website. Today we will hear from RCMP Deputy Commissioner Brian Brennan to talk about a range of topics including after-action reviews, the H Division Issues Management Team, communications within the RCMP and with the public, and H Division leadership challenges including the wellness review and summary report. You will be able to watch today’s proceedings on our live webcast or catch up with the webcast later.

Proceedings Schedule

In-person public proceedings will resume next week at the Doubletree Hilton in Dartmouth — except for the Participant Consultation on September 15, which will be virtual. Registration to attend the Dartmouth proceedings in person will begin later this afternoon (there may be an error link this morning while the site is undergoing maintenance). You can also follow proceedings by watching the webcasts or by listening to live audio from the proceedings by calling 1-877-385-4099 (toll free) and entering code 1742076 followed by the # sign.

  • Monday, September 12 (Hilton Dartmouth)
    • 9:30am Consultative Conference with African Nova Scotians
      • The Commission will hear from representatives from African Nova Scotian communities to ensure their perspectives and experiences are reflected in the conversation about potential recommendations.
  • Tuesday, September 13 (Hilton Dartmouth)
    • 9:30am Consultative Conference with Indigenous Peoples
      • The Commission will hear from representatives from Indigenous communities to ensure their perspectives and experiences are reflected in the conversation about potential recommendations.
  • Wednesday, September 14 (Hilton Dartmouth)
    • 9:30am Roundtable:
      • Police Oversight, Supervision and Accountability
  • Thursday, September 15 (virtual: webcast only)
    • 2:00pm Participant Consultations:
      • Justice-related organizations

Share Your Suggestions for Change

We continue to encourage all people, including those here in Nova Scotia, across Canada, in the United States and beyond, to share recommendations for changes that can help make communities safer. Throughout our work, you may have heard from a family member, someone in your community, or even someone across the country about suggestions for strengthening community safety. We want to hear from you. By visiting https://masscasualtycommission.ca/share/ , you can share your thoughts and recommendations, or learn about the various other ways to do so.

There are a number of resources and tools to help you prepare your suggestions, in addition to the many Foundational Documents, Commissioned Reports and recordings of public proceedings available on our website. You can also use the Discussion Guide, which summarizes the kinds of issues we are exploring and asks questions to help you think about recommendations, and refer to the Environmental Scan of Prior Recommendations, which captures over 2,000 recommendations from earlier reports to help inform your thinking.

As always, mental health, wellness and other supports are available if you or a loved one need them, both on-site during in-person proceedings and through the Commission’s 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.

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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