Parliamentary Committee Notes: Nova Scotia Mass Shooting Incident – H-Strong Investigation
Background/Current Status:
On April 18-19, 2020, several shooting incidents occurred at multiple locations in Nova Scotia (NS), resulting in the deaths of 22 people, including the on-duty death of RCMP Constable (Cst.) Heidi Stevenson. Three people were also injured, including RCMP Cst. Chad Morrison. Another incident took place at the Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade hall when two RCMP members discharged their firearms towards a civilian they mistook for the gunman.
The H-STRONG investigation revealed that Gabriel Wortman was the sole gunman. Three (3) individuals, including his common law spouse, were charged for their role in purchasing ammunition for the gunman, prior to the mass casualty event. The court has diverted the individuals to a restorative justice program.
On October 21, 2020, federal and provincial Orders-in-Council established terms of reference for a joint federal-provincial public inquiry (subsequently known as the Mass Casualty Commission [MCC]) to examine and provide a report, including recommendations to government, regarding the mass shootings.
The RCMP established a project team (HSTRONG II) that is coordinating the collection and disclosure, through Justice Canada, of relevant materials in the RCMP’s possession relating to the mass shooting and circumstances leading up to it. The MCC has issued subpoenas, as a standard practice, to various departments and agencies from which they require information.
The HSTRONG II Project Team facilitates the MCC’s engagement with RCMP witnesses, and ensures those witnesses are provided appropriate support throughout the inquiry process. The Project Team will also identify areas within the police response to this tragedy that may require further examination and possible action by the RCMP, whether from a training, policy, procedural, resourcing or equipment perspective. The Project Team also provides support for the RCMP’s involvement in workplace safety investigations being undertaken pursuant to the Canada Labour Code by the internal Hazardous Occurrence Investigation Team and Employment and Social Development Canada.
The MCC created thirty (30) Foundational Documents to share key facts and events about the mass casualty event. The participants were consulted on the contents of the Foundational Documents and provided feedback during working meetings in November and December 2021. Since the public proceedings started on February 22, 2022, the Foundational Documents have been entered as evidence and posted on the MCC public website along with source materials used to create the documents. The MCC released an interim report on May 2, 2022. There were no findings of fact and no recommendations regarding any of the information that has been provided to the MCC to date. The report states: “It would be premature to do so as we continue to build our evidentiary record and try to understand how and why the mass casualty happened.” There is no new information or any action required as a result of the release of this Interim Report. The MCC is required to release the final report on November 1, 2022.
Every effort is being made to use a trauma-informed approach with all involved, including RCMP members and employees. The RCMP will continue to fully support the MCC and will provide a full accounting of the events. The RCMP knows the victims’ families, their friends and the public want answers. The RCMP has, and continues to share the information it can with the families through designated liaisons, as well as the coordinated investigative team.
- Date modified: