The Common-law wife of the man that killed 22 people on a shooting rampage in April 2020 has spoken on why she didn’t report his violent behaviour sooner.

Lisa Banfield testified to the public inquiry that she lied about his illegal weapons and failed to report his history of violent behaviour because she was deeply afraid of him. 

Banfield testified was beaten and badly injured by the shooter at the beginning of his rampage.

She told investigators that she escaped into the woods and emerged the next morning to tell police that her partner was still at large and driving a vehicle that looked exactly like an RCMP cruiser

A decision was made to not have her cross examined by the lawyers representing the victims families.

 

 

Legislation making Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia’s official first language was proclaimed on Sunday, and affirmed by Mi’kmaw leadership in a ceremony at Potlotek First Nation in Richmond County.

According to the province, Mi’kmaw chiefs signed a resolution to affirm and uphold the provincial legislation on behalf of their communities.

The Mi’kmaw Language Act was first introduced by government in April and establishes a joint committee to create a multi-year strategy for protecting the language of the First Nations people who live in the province.

The legislation will take effect on Treaty Day, October First.

 

 

Halifax District RCMP are investigating a fatal crash involving a motorcycle Friday on Highway 2 in Wellington.

Police responded to a call on Friday evening that a motorcycle had left the road and ended up in a ditch.

The driver of the motorcycle, a 52-year-old man from Fletchers Lake, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed but has since reopened. Police are investigating the crash.

 

 

Family, friends and colleagues of Capt. Brenden MacDonald gathered at Carmichael Park in New Glasgow Saturday afternoon to dedicate a monument in his memory.

Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia, commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic described MacDonald as an outstanding service member and talented aviator and expressed his gratitude for those who worked to place the monument.

Capt. MacDonald died at 35 leaving behind a wife and three sons when the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter he was flying crashed during a military exercise in the Ionian Sea on April 29, 2020.