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/ 

News Releases

Follow news relating to the Mass Casualty Commission

Action Recommendation Theme Date

Increased the number of walk-in recovery centres for substance use and gambling support. There are now 12 centres available across Nova Scotia and services can include in-person assessment, group programs, harm reduction support and recovery support.

  • C.10
  • P.60
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

Released the findings of a comprehensive policing review and committed to public safety improvements by introducing six foundational changes.

  • P.67
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

Announced the establishment of a Ministers’ Table on Gender-Based Violence which will have up to 25 members. Applications opened in August and the first meeting will be held in Fall 2025.

  • V.13
  • V.14
  • V.15
  • V.16
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

A working group has been formalized and continues to develop Nova Scotia’s approach to recommendations related to legislation and funding, with consideration given to other planning requirements at the municipal level.

  • C.14
  • C.16
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

The Province has signed an agreement with a next generation 911 vendor to modernize the system and enhance its capabilities to better support Nova Scotians when emergencies happen.

  • P.65
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Partnership with the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency to explore the use of AI in the recognition of voice, phrase, and tone over phone and radio lines to more rapidly identify emergencies, serious incidents, and events. 

  • P.10
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Clearer and more accessible guidelines for the Survivors of GBV Housing Benefit, expanded the range of approved referral agencies, more flexibility to accommodate unique circumstances, and a dedicated case manager to provide one point of contact for clients and referral agencies.

  • V.7
  • V.9
  • V.14
  • V.15
  • V.16
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Working across government to identify and develop more consistent offerings, support, and training, across a wide range of first responder groups, including staff and volunteers. 

  • C.8
  • C.9
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Conducted a province-wide emergency management training exercise which focused on the response to effects of a severe winter storm and recognizing the signs of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence in emergencies.

  • P.16
  • V.9
  • V.16
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Worked with the Nova Scotia Grief Alliance to provide webinars, regional roundtables and an annual symposium shaped by community needs. The work focused on strengthening grief support through education, resource sharing, and community collaboration.

Nova Scotia Grief Alliance
 

  • C.10
  • C.11
  • P.60
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health