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

Launched a community-led crisis response model pilot in the West Hants area through Peer Outreach Support Services and Education.
  • C.8
  • P.60
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Issued a directive to all police agencies to comply with 39 standards to ensure consistent service delivery across the province.
  • P.62
  • P.63
  • P.68
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

The Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team has completed six recommendations in the areas of reports, investigations, RCMP Liaison with the SiRT, Information exchange with police agencies.

The SiRT investigates deaths, serious injury, sexual assault, intimate partner violence or any matter of public interest that may have arisen from the actions of a police officer.
  • P.27
  • P.28
  • P.30
  • P.31
  • P.32
  • P.33
  • P.35
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

Created a Public Safety Audit Function to measure police agencies against provincial policing standards. Audits began in Fall 2025 and results will be shared with leadership at the relevant policing agency, the board of police commissioners, or policy advisory board, as appropriate.
  • P.61
  • P.67
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

Finalized a policy to confirm RCMP communications with the Serious Incident Response Team regarding an ongoing investigation must occur through a designated RCMP liaison.
  • P.31
  • Public Safety and Policing Reform

Provided funding to the New Start Society to operate Safe Paths program. The program provides clinical counselling services to perpetrators of intimate partner violence with co-occurring substance use disorders. The program serves individuals who are referred by the Department of Community Services and Department of Justice but are currently on a waitlist for counselling sessions. Participants will receive one hour of counselling per week up to 12 weeks by an experienced intern counselor.
  • V.9
  • V.13
  • V.14
  • V.15
  • V.16
  • V.17
  • C.32
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

A new pilot Quality Assurance program for regulator performance, tracking performance against a best practices and established standards.
  • C.19
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

GuysWork is a school-based program where young men examine how traditional masculinity norms can impact their health, and the health of their peers. The program is now available in over 40 schools across Nova Scotia, with further expansions planned in 2024/25.
  • C.17b
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Cumberland County got its first women’s resource centre. Lilac Place opened in Amherst and offers outreach services, like counselling and employment support.
  • V.9
  • V.15
  • V.16
  • Community Safety, Well-Being and Health

Launched a new housing benefit which provides eligible individuals and families who are fleeing or planning on fleeing gender-based violence with financial assistance for housing for up to two years.
  • V.13
  • V.14
  • V.15
  • V.16
  • Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence