Halifax Convention Centre; from Jack Morse
Premier Tim Houston is standing by his criticisms of Mass Causality Commission as it enters its second week of public proceedings.
Houston issued a scathing statement ahead of the inquiry opening last week.
That led Barbara McLean, the MCC’s investigations director, to publicly respond Tuesday.
“Frankly, we are surprised and disappointed,” she said. “The Mass Causality Commission is an independent inquiry and must remain free from interference or external direction.”
McLean then called on Houston to keep an open mind, saying some of the recommendations from the MCC would be to the province.
Houston doubled down speaking to reporters after cabinet Thursday.
He said he fully accepts the inquiry is independent, but the families of those slain had concerns about how the inquiry would operate.
“If the family members lose confidence in the process, how can the public have confidence in the process?”
Houston said the family’s concerns must be listened to and addressed.
He said he doesn’t care if he offended members of the inquiry with his criticisms.
“That’s the time to raise them, not when it’s over,” he said. “Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. Right now, this can be addressed.”
Houston said the inquiry cannot shy away from the answers, because those could help prevent something like this from ever happening again.
Public inquiry enters second week
The MCC runs Monday through Thursday this week.
The agenda for this week includes the presentation of foundational documents, dealing with the events of the Portapique massing killing and the actions of first responders.
The commission will also accept submissions from participants to address “gaps in the factual record” related to the events laid out in the foundational documents.
A gunman killed 22 people in a two-day rampage through rural northern Nova Scotia on April 18 and 19, 2020, before he was killed by police.
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