The head of the RCMP denies the claim of his colleague Mountie that she tried to direct the information disclosed as part of their investigation to the mass shooting in Nova Scotia in 2020.
This statement is contained in handwritten notes from RCMP Supt of Nova Scotia. Darren Campbell, who was released on Tuesday as part of a commission by the Commission on Mass Victims.
The commission is investigating the riots of April 18-19, 2020, which killed 22 people – including a pregnant woman – and caused several injuries and several houses destroyed. On Tuesday, the commission released a report on how the RCMP and the government communicated with the public about the incident.
WATCH Did the government try to intervene in the RCMP’s investigation into the mass shooting in Nova Scotia?
Did the government try to intervene in the RCMP’s investigation into the mass shooting in Nova Scotia?
A report released by a public investigation into the mass shootings in Nova Scotia in 2020 suggests that RCMP Commissioner Brenda Luke has promised the government to publish information on the firearms used in the tragedy. MPs Talib Nurmohamed and Raquel Dancho weigh.
In those notes, Campbell wrote that Lucky was upset that the RCMP in Nova Scotia was not disclosing more information about the weapons used because it had promised the federal government – which is considering gun control legislation at the time – to pick it up.
“As a police officer and RCMP commissioner, I would never take actions or decisions that could jeopardize the investigation. I did not interfere in the ongoing investigations into the largest mass shooting in Canadian history, “she wrote in a statement issued Tuesday night.
Lucky did not respond to claims that he insisted on releasing more information to support the Liberals’ weapons control plans. She said briefings with the public safety minister were needed, especially during the mass shooting.
“This is standard procedure and does not affect the integrity of ongoing investigations and does not interfere with the independence of the RCMP,” she wrote.
“I take the principle of police independence very seriously and it has been and will continue to be fully respected in all interactions.”
Mountny fears the release will “threaten” the investigation
The allegation stems from a press conference on April 24, 2020. During the event, Campbell told reporters that the shooter had two semi-automatic pistols and two semi-automatic rifles. He did not provide further details, but said some of the weapons may have come from the United States and the Canadian Border Agency is supporting the investigation.
“The commissioner was obviously upset. She did not raise her voice, but her choice of words was indicative of her overall dissatisfaction with our work, “Campbell wrote after meeting Lucky a few days later. His handwritten notes describing the meeting became part of the commission’s investigation.
“The commissioner said she promised the Secretary of Public Security and the Prime Minister’s Office that the RCMP (we) would release this information,” Campbell continued. “I tried to explain that there was no intention of disrespecting anyone, but at the moment we could not release this information. The commissioner said at the time that we did not understand that this was related to upcoming arms control legislation, which would make employees safer in society. “
Then-Secretary of Public Safety Bill Blair spoke with RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucky as they waited to appear before the Municipal Commission on 27 February 2020 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wilde / Canadian Press)
In the spring of 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a ban on about 1,500 brands and models of firearms, including two of the weapons used in mass shootings in Nova Scotia – the Colt Law Enforcement Carbine, semi-automatic weapons and Ruger Mini-14.
At the time, police did not disclose the specific brands and models used in the attacks. This information did not become public until the fall of 2020, when the National Post released details of the weapons after receiving an information note prepared for the prime minister after the shooting.
Campbell said he had told the RCMP’s Strategic Communications Department not to release information on firearms because it could hamper the investigation.
“I said we could not because it would jeopardize the ongoing progress of the American side of the case, as well as the Canadian components of the investigation,” he wrote.
“These are facts and I support them.
About the meeting with Lucky Campbell, he wrote that some in the room “are tearful and emotional because of this derogatory rebuke.”
In a statement, Lucky said he regretted his behavior at the meeting.
“A few days after the mass shooting, I met with colleagues from the RCMP in Nova Scotia to discuss a number of things. This included the flow of information to the RCMP National Headquarters regarding the investigation and public disclosure. It was a tense discussion and I regret the way I approached the meeting and the impact it had on those present, “she said.
“My need for information had to be judged better by the seriousness of the circumstances they were experiencing. I needed to be more sensitive in my approach. If I had led the meeting differently, these staff would have felt more supported during what I know is an extremely difficult time. “
Blair denies putting pressure on top Mount
During a fiery round of interrogations in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Conservative MP Stephen Ellis accused Emergency Preparedness Secretary Bill Blair, then Secretary of Public Safety, of using the deaths of Canadians to push the political agenda. order of the liberals.
Mr Blair denied the allegations.
“The RCMP commissioner confirmed to the commission that no such instruction or pressure has ever been exercised by me or any other member of this government,” he said.
The Conservatives continued to raise the issue during the issue on Tuesday, and Blair continued to respond that the RCMP commissioner’s police operations were independent of the government.
“Among the more important work of the Mass Victims Commission is to examine the important communication challenges that were apparent during this tragic event. We expect fact-based findings and recommendations for improvement,” Blair said.
The commission’s investigation did not release any remarks from Lucky. She is expected to be called as a witness next month.
“The RCMP continues to be an active participant in the MCC. “I will testify in the coming weeks and the RCMP will continue to support the important work of the Commission,” Lucky said in a statement.
Last month, the Liberals introduced Bill C-21, which will impose a national freeze on the purchase, sale, import and transfer of pistols in Canada.
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