graphic showing overlapping circles

Actions in Response to the Mass Casualty Commission

We Remember

Together, we honour, remember, reflect, and act.  

We are committed to working towards lasting change and in memory of the lives lost, as well as everyone who has been impacted by their loss.

 

April 18-19, 2020
Tom Bagley • Kristen Beaton (and her unborn child) • Greg Blair • Jamie Blair • Joy Bond • Peter Bond • Lillian Campbell • Corrie Ellison 
Gina Goulet • Dawn Gulenchyn • Frank Gulenchyn • Alanna Jenkins • Sean McLeod • Lisa McCully • Heather O'Brien • Jolene Oliver 
Aaron Tuck • Emily Tuck • Const. Heidi Stevenson • Elizabeth Joanne Thomas • John Zahl • Joey Webber

Actions

The Province is taking action to strengthen safety and resilience across the province, in three interconnected areas: 

  • Community Safety, Wellbeing and Health - Provide support to help Nova Scotians stay healthy and feel safe in their own communities. This can include programs and services, along with helping communities develop the skills and resources to recognize and meet their needs.
  • 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 providing better training, tools, and support to all first responders — like police, firefighters, paramedics, ground search and rescue, and the Nova Scotia Guard. Make sure they work well together, have what they need, and treat everyone fairly by promoting equity, anti-racism, and inclusion across Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia is accountable for many of the recommendations in the MCC’s Final Report. This page contains highlights of the actions underway.

Government reports to Progress Monitoring Committee

The Progress Monitoring Committee (PMC) was established by the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia in response to MCC recommendation I.1.  

The Government of Nova Scotia is a participating member of the PMC and reports on our progress to the PMC on a quarterly basis.  

For all information related to the PMC, please visit https://novascotia.ca/progress-monitoring-committee/ 

Resources

News Releases

Follow news relating to the Mass Casualty Commission

Action Recommendation Theme Date

Crisis Intervention Training was held for Mental Health and Addictions and Police Team Members from around the Nova Scotia. An additional Crisis Intervention Training program for law enforcement in Northern Zone was also introduced.
  • C.8
  • C.13
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

Police advisory board training has been reviewed and revised to conform with the spirit and intent of MCC recommendations.
  • P.74
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

Administered $1.2 million in federal funding to community-based organizations in the counties of Colchester, Cumberland and East Hants to strengthen community connections.
  • C.13
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

$1.5 million was provided to the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association to support the continued delivery of grief and emotional wellness services, strengthening community partnerships and building capacity.
  • C.13
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Bridges Institute in Truro has increased services, reaching over 125 men since January 2024. The approach engages fathers and kids in activities familiar to them, such as skating parties, bowling, a fishing derby, and library visits, to foster sufficient comfort with Bridges to seek support.
  • C.17
  • C.32
  • V.14
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Reviewed recruitment and training to ensure 911 call-takers are trained to capture all information shared by a community member as fully and accurately as possible, and to listen for background noises or information that may also be important for first responders.
  • P.12
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

A new Family Justice Navigation Program will help improve responses to intimate partner violence in the family justice system by offering individualized support, better information, more outreach, help create a support network and continuity of support for people navigating the system.
  • P.75
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Status of Women led training sessions, including:

  • Understanding Roles and Responsibilities in Responding to and Supporting Domestic Violence Interventions: a one-day training for government and community about the systems and community responses to domestic violence and how to appropriately refer and assist families.
  • Towards Transformation: A Queered and Anti-Oppressive Response to Gender-based Violence in Nova Scotia: a one-day collaborative conversation and interactive training facilitated by the Youth Project. The training includes First Voice facilitators, presentations that encourage reflection and discussion and tangible and creative methods for transformation.
  • C.17
  • C.32
  • V.9
  • V.16
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Provided more funding to support victims of crime and their families for counselling services, extending the length of time the service can be accessed and offering more flexibility for those who need extra support.
  • P.60
  • C.12
  • V.2
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Awarded the Healing Pathways Community Fund grants to 14 community-based organizations offering grief, bereavement and mental health supports in Colchester, Cumberland and Hants counties.
  • C.13
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health