We Remember
Together we honour, remember, reflect and act.
January 3, 2017, marks a tragic loss of life that continues to impact family members, African Nova Scotian communities, and Nova Scotia as a whole. We are committed to working towards lasting change in memory of the lives lost.
January 3, 2017
Aaliyah Desmond • Shanna Desmond • Brenda Desmond • Corporal Lionel Desmond
Our Approach
The Province is taking a whole-of-government approach to address recommendations of the Desmond Fatality Inquiry. This website shares how the provincial government is responding and implementing the recommendations. This work is ongoing and grounded in accountability, transparency, and an understanding of the importance of being culturally responsive to meet the needs of those most affected.
The Desmond Fatality Inquiry was initiated under the provincial Fatality Investigations Act. For this reason, all the recommendations are directed at the Province of Nova Scotia, and at times will require federal action and collaboration. The Province is committed to working with our federal partners to achieve results.
The Desmond family first asked government to conduct this inquiry in 2017 and examine the systemic issues that resulted in this tragic loss of life. From the beginning, the work was known as the Desmond Fatality Inquiry and the name holds deep meaning to the family and community. At the family's request, and with deep respect to their wishes, the Province continues to use this name to honour the lives lost and as a call to accountability.
Actions
Based on the recommendations, the Province is working to strengthen safety and resilience across the province, in three interconnected areas:
- Community Safety, Well-Being and Health - Provide support to help Nova Scotians stay healthy and feel safe in their own communities. This can include culturally responsive healthcare and improved access to programs and services in rural and remote communities.
- Gender-Based Violence, Intimate Partner Violence - Reduce gender-based and intimate partner violence by understanding why it happens, finding better ways to prevent it, and offering more help to people who have been affected.
- Public Safety and Policing Reform - Make communities safer by strengthening firearms regulation and improving pathways for information sharing across systems to better identify risks to safety.
| Action | Recommendation | Theme | Date |
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Provided funding to support community-based organizations in their work to address gender-based violence, which helped to respond to five recommendations within the Desmond Fatality Inquiry final report.
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Effective April 1, 2025, paid leave related to domestic violence was expanded to five days in Nova Scotia.
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Creating Communities of Care Through a Customary Law Approach is receiving $500,000 a year in ongoing core funding beginning in 2025. The project provides culturally relevant support and navigation help and raises awareness of the impact of violence in Indigenous and Black and African Nova Scotian communities through initiatives like podcasts, participation in conferences and workshops, and presentations. |
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A Policing Standard was issued by Ministerial Directive on September 17, 2024 and will continue to be reviewed to see if changes are needed. The Department of Justice worked with policing oversight bodies to develop new Provincial Policing Standards that ensure adequate and effective policing for all Nova Scotians. Currently, all police in Nova Scotia use, and are trained on, the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA). |
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The ADM Inquiry Response Group, a group of senior officials from across government, meet regularly to coordinate the response to these recommendations. Executive Council Office provides corporate leadership to coordinate government’s inquiry response, which supports implementing the recommendations in a coordinated and culturally responsive manner. Since the release of the DFI report in January 2024, African Nova Scotian Affairs has provided essential community insights and understanding regarding the tragedy, guidance on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the report. |
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Federal Bill C-71 received Royal Assent on 21 June 2019. Orders in Council were announced in May and October 2022. This legislation strengthens federal gun control, including through expanded background checks and additional requirements for the sale and transport of firearms. |
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Funding for the Men’s, Women’s, and All Genders Helplines was made permanent in 2022-23. Status of Women has continued funding of Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia and 211 Nova Scotia to deliver and administer the Men’s, Women’s, and All Genders Helplines. |
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