Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. (Facebook)
The federal government will expand a planned review into April’s mass shooting in Portapique, Nova Scotia.
In a tweet, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says his government has listened to Nova Scotians by ordering a full public inquiry into the tragedy on April 18th and 19th.
An inquiry will give them the power to summon witnesses and require them to give evidence and provide documents.
Four Nova Scotia senators, including Mary Coyle of Antigonish, called for a broader inquiry because a review “didn’t go far enough”.
“We all are disappointed that the announcement is not what we had asked for. More importantly, (it) is not what the victim’s families have asked for,” Coyle said on Monday.
We’ve listened to Nova Scotians. Please see my statement. pic.twitter.com/AZ46POcY4n
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) July 28, 2020
In a statement, Blair said its hoped with these additional authorities the terrible tragedy will be fully examined and all relevant facts and evidence will be made public.
Nova Scotia’s chief justice J. Michael MacDonald, former Liberal cabinet minister Anne McLellan and retired Fredericton police chief Leanne Fitch will serve as commissioners with the inquiry.
Blair said they will keep working with the government of Nova Scotia on a path forward.
Twenty-two people were killed in the mass shooting.
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