There will NOT be a public inquiry into the April 18/19 mass murders. Instead, a 3-member Independent Review Panel, chaired by former NS Courts Chief Justice Michael MacDonald. Here are the Terms of Reference: halifaxexaminer.ca/wp-content/upl… 1/
The other 2 members are former Liberal cabinet member Anne McLellan and Leanne Fitch, the former chief of police in Fredericton. Backgrounder here: halifaxexaminer.ca/wp-content/upl… 2/
Unlike a public inquiry, the review panel will not have the power to compel testimony, nor will it have subpoena power. The government ministers say, however, that all government institutions have agreed to “participate fully” 3/
If those government institutions don’t cooperate with the review panel, the panel “may notify the public about the lack of cooperation.” 4/
In the event that the panel needs information from non-government institutions (such as telephone companies, banks, etc), the panel does not have the power to ask the court for production orders. But, I’m told, the government will assist the panel in those matters. 5/
The Terms of Reference calls for a “Restorative Approach,” meaning, in effect, watch out that you don’t further harm victims and family of victims. To that end, the testimony of those witnesses will not be public. 6/
But also, documents and testimony from government institutions will also not be public, although the panel has the ability to refer to such documents and testimony in its published reports. /7
The panel is charged with producing an interim report on February 28, 2021, and a final report on August 31, 2021 — 15 months after the event. 8/
imo, this does not help to build trust with the public, which already feels that much information is being withheld and possibly destroyed, about how government institutions acted before, during, and after the massacre. 9/
The press conference continues, and I’ll have more later /10
The RCMP just issued a statement saying it "welcomes today’s announcement of a joint review into the devastating incidents of April 18 and 19, 2020. We support the independent review and will cooperate fully."
Furey says that because the 3 panel members are Maritimers, they "know and understand our rural communities well."
Furey says the province will "fully consider" the panel's recommendations.
It's worth pointing out that both ministers — Bill Blair and Mark Furey — are former cops (Toronto and RCMP, respectively).
Blair says that the RCMP is "keen" to get all the necessary information out.
Jean Laroche points out that just yesterday the families of the victims demanded a public inquiry: halifaxexaminer.ca/featured/300-f…
Furey responds that they came up with the best approach to help the families. The review "will get the same outcome and answers the families are looking for."
Michael Tutton, a very good reporter with the CP, sounds tired. I know the feeling. We've been going round and round on this for months.
I wasn't given the opportunity to ask a follow up question. I had one.
I only asked one question. Every other reporter is allowed to ask two.
This really pisses me off. I spent 15 minutes crafting my second question.
