Review panel lacks power to compel answers on April mass shooting

HALIFAX-- NDP Leader Gary Burrill made the following statement in response to today’s announcement of a review into the April 18-19 mass shootings:

“It is hurtful and disappointing that the Independent Review Panel falls so far short of the full-fledged public inquiry which has been called for by the families of those whose lives were taken in the mass shootings of April 18-19.

A public inquiry would have the authority and power to compel the testimony of witnesses under oath. The Independent Review Panel has the power only to inform the Minister and the public when those it wishes to hear from are not forthcoming. In comparison to the full-fledged public inquiry that has been called for, the Review Panel is constrained in both openness and scope.

Across Nova Scotia, many organizations and experts, the public in general, and most significantly, the families, have properly called for a public inquiry into the worst mass shooting in our country’s history. The government is mistaken in deciding to do something less.”

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