Nova Scotia mass shooting inquiry allows RCMP witnesses, but lawyers question limits
Photo: Michael MacDonald, chair of the Mass Casualty Commission (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan)
The public inquiry into Nova Scotia’s mass shooting will call RCMP witnesses to testify, but lawyers for victims’ families say they are concerned over rules limiting their ability to directly question officers. Inquiry chair Michael MacDonald says the commission will subpoena the first three officers to arrive at the scene of the killings, as well as five supervising officers and four senior officers — including the RCMP Commissioner. MacDonald says the trio of front-line officers will testify together in a witness panel later this month, with the initial round of questions coming from the commission’s counsel. Meanwhile, the lawyer for the common-law spouse of the gunman who killed 22 people in Nova Scotia says the way has been cleared for her to testify at the public inquiry into the killings. James Lockyer had recommended Lisa Banfield not speak to the inquiry while she was facing two counts of unlawfully providing the shooter with ammunition. But on Wednesday the Crown recommended that her case be diverted to a restorative justice process, which will lead to the charges against her being dropped if she successfully completes it.
High gas prices hitting Atlantic Canada hard due to region’s reliance on heating oil
Atlantic Canada’s heavy reliance on oil for residential heating is partially responsible for the recent surge in gas prices. According to data from Nova Scotia’s Finance and Treasury Board, the four provinces with the highest percentages of fuel oil for residential heating in 2019 were all in Atlantic Canada. UNB economics professor Constantine Passaris says he’s concerned consumers will have a difficult time adjusting to the high prices, which have risen sharply since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago. Passaris says those who will be hardest hit include people on fixed incomes and small business owners.
Another increase in fuel prices in New Brunswick. Regular self-serve gas is up 3.9 cents per litre this morning in New Brunswick to a maximum price of 186.6 cents per litre. The price of diesel has increased 13.9 cents per litre to a new maximum of 214.2 cents per litre in New Brunswick. Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.
Nova Scotia to test acute outpatient facility for mental health care in Halifax
The Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building of the QEII Health Sciences Centre will soon house a new mental health day hospital to support those in the Halifax area requiring intensive mental health supports (Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia)
Nova Scotia is launching a new outpatient unit next month in Halifax for some mental health patients. The minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health, says the 10-patient unit will treat people who need acute care but aren’t sick enough to require overnight hospitalization. The facility will use existing space at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, and the Minister says it should eventually free up beds in hospital mental health units. The data on the pilot project will be collected over the next six months to a year, with the goal of eventually expanding the concept across the province.
Welcome home celebration planned today for Caden Landry
A special welcome home celebration is planned today for 14-year-old Caden Landry. In early February, Caden was struck by a car in Pictou and rushed to hospital with critical injuries. He’s been recovering in hospital in Halifax and will be coming home this afternoon to continue the healing. The community is invited to show support for Caden by lining the sidewalks from Subway to East End Grocery beginning around 3:30pm. The Pictou Fire Dept. will be meeting Caden and his family at the rotary to help lead them home.
Local sports:
The Pictou County Weeks Junior A Crushers are home tonight to face the South Shore Lumberjacks. Puck drops at 7:00 pm at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.
