Nova Scotia’s Commitment to Action - Advancing work on the recommendations in the Mass Casualty Commission Final Report
Nova Scotia commits to working collaboratively with government, policing and community partners to achieve the systemic, operational and legislative changes outlined in Turning the Tide Together: Final Report of the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC).
The report was released in March 2023. Since then, the Government of Nova Scotia has focused on 4 main areas:
- community safety and well-being, including Victim Services for those impacted
- grief, bereavement and wellness resources, including new and enhanced supports for local communities
- policing operations, including launching a comprehensive review of the policing structure in Nova Scotia
- gender-based violence prevention, including a renewed awareness campaign
Community engagement and collaboration play an important role in Nova Scotia’s work to advance recommendations in the MCC report. We work closely with local partners and residents to ensure the community’s interests are represented -- from planning and development to implementation and evaluation. The lived experience of families and community members -- and their ongoing feedback -- will continue to inform our actions and approach.
Strategic solutions to Implementation
Community safety and well-being
Public health
Policing reform
Gender-based violence and Intimate partner violence
Actions
Nova Scotia is accountable for many of the recommendations in the Final Report. Here are some highlights of the actions underway.
| Action | Recommendation | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Committed $9 million over two years as part of an $18 million joint federal-provincial funding commitment | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Launched a new dedicated website for community supports | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Added new positions in mental health and addictions in front-line and system support roles, including outreach, wellness navigation, health promotion, public engagement and grief and bereavement | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Increased funding to eight community health boards to support community wellness initiatives, from suicide prevention training and grief workshops to rural internet access programs to community events | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Launched a new community transportation pilot – a direct response to community engagement in spring 2023 | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Worked with Sipekne’katik Health Centre to provide transportation to and from wellness appointments | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Added a new mental health role to mobile primary care clinic teams, which visit communities in Colchester, Cumberland and Hants counties three days a week | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Provided trauma-informed care and suicide intervention skills training for community groups and service providers | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Hosted a series of community conversations across the northern zone with local residents, community organizations, health system partners and others to understand the mental health and addictions needs in the community | C.13 | Community safety Public health
|
| Launched a new mental health and addictions support program for volunteer firefighters and ground search and rescue volunteers | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Hosted a compassionate grief education session for service providers, volunteers and community-based organizations | C.13 | Community safety Public Health |
| Provided mental health crisis intervention training to police in the northern zone | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Hosted a compassionate grief education session | C.13 | Public health |
| Added mental health and addictions outreach and clinical services in Millbrook First Nation | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Completed a needs and impact assessment for 2023 and a framework to conduct future assessments in 2025 and 2027 | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Partnered with Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association (NSHPCA) to work with government, communities and Nova Scotia Health to design and coordinate the delivery of grief, bereavement and emotional wellness services - starting in Northern Zone and expanding across the province | C.13 | Community safety Public health |
| Kids in the Know is the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s national safety education program. It engages students interactively to build skills that increase their personal safety and reduce their risk of victimization online and offline. All Nova Scotia teachers now have access to the program and its resources to support their students. | C.17b | Community safety Gender-based and intimate partner violence |
| GuysWork is a school-based program where young men examine how traditional masculinity norms can impact their health, and the health of their peers. The program is now available in over 40 schools across Nova Scotia, with further expansions planned in 2024/25. | C.17b | Community safety Gender-based and intimate partner violence |
| Launching a pilot bystander intervention training program for Grades 9 and 10 in April 2024. | C.17b | Community safety Gender-based and intimate partner violence |
| Signed an agreement with the federal government that will result in $18.3 million over four years to help end gender-based violence. Funding to Help End Gender-Based Violence | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases | V.13 | Community safety Gender-based and intimate partner violence |
16 community-based organizations receive $7.1 million in funding for projects that address gender-based violence Funding for Community Projects Working to End Gender-Based Violence | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases |
Aligned to V9, V.13 V.15, V16 Also supports C.1 and C.16 |
Community safety Gender-based and intimate partner violence |
| Established the Progress Monitoring Committee to monitor and report on the implementation of the recommendations from the final report of the Mass Casualty Commission Terms of reference | I.1b | |
| Appointed former justice Linda Oland as founding chair of the Progress Monitoring Committee for a one-year term. | I.1b | |
| Appointed 16 members to the Progress Monitoring Committee, which includes representatives from the provincial and federal governments, RCMP, RCMP Management Advisory Board, community members, and family members | I.1d | |
| All staff at the RCMP Operational Communications Centre and at other Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS) have access to 911 call recordings at their desk and are trained in its use and how to play back calls. Staff receive a training refresh every two years or after extended leave periods. | P.10 | Policing reform |
| Launched province-wide policing review and issued a request for proposals for an external consultant to lead the work | P.67 | Policing reform |
| Deloitte named as the consultant to lead province-wide policing review. New co-chair named and 14 engagement advisory committee members | P.67 | Policing reform |
| Committed to funding tuition and fees for 11 police recruits from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, African-Nova Scotian and female police cadets to attend Atlantic Police Academy in 2023/2024. | P.74 | Policing reform |
| The Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, established in June 2023 and chaired by the Chief Medical Examiner, conducts timely, in-depth review of domestic violence deaths in the province. The committee’s review includes analyzing trends and making recommendations to the provincial government, which helps inform Nova Scotia’s work to implement MCC recommendations | Aligned to V13 | Policing reform Gender-based and intimate partner violence
Community safety |
Almost 2,000 more new trunked mobile radios will be provided to volunteer emergency responders by the fall of 2024, improving their ability to communicate as they help Nova Scotians in times of need. |
P. 16 (b) | Policing reform Community safety
|
Introduced the Regulated Health Professionals Act to govern self-regulated healthcare professions; it supports smaller regulatory bodies to share resources, improve oversight and update mandates to proactively address misconduct. |
C.19 | Community safety Public health
|
Announced a new school lunch program will begin in the 2024-25 school year with a provincial investment of $18.8 million. Progress on New School Lunch Program | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases |
C.16 | Community safety
|
Launched the new Healing Pathways Community Fund to provide up to $50,000 to community-based organizations operating in Colchester, Cumberland and Hants counties to provide grief support and emotional wellness at the community level |
C.13 | Community safety Public health
|
Status of Women and Labour Skills and Immigration are partnering with women-serving organizations and industry to implement a Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Committee that will tackle gender-based oppression and violence in the skilled trades in Nova Scotia. |
C.18 Also contributes to V.9 V.14.b V.16.a |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
The Province is investing in women's safety with funding support for a free legal advice network, in partnership with Access to Justice Institute and developing legal education materials and resources for victims of intimate partner violence in partnership with the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. |
V.9 | Gender-based and intimate partner violence Policing reform
|
Launched conflict management training for policing agencies and dispute resolution with police leaders across the province. The first mediation session was held in May 2024. |
P.66 | Policing reform Community safety
|
Finalized a policy to confirm RCMP communications with the Serious Incident Response Team regarding an ongoing investigation must occur through a designated RCMP liaison. |
P.31 | Policing reform
|
Provided funding to support the opening of the new community centre in Portapique Funding for New Community Centre in Portapique | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases |
C.10 C.11 |
Community safety Public health
|
More funding is being provided to support victims of crime and their families for counselling services, extending the length of time the service can be accessed and offering more flexibility for those who need extra support. More Access to Counselling Services for Victims of Crime | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases |
P.60 C.12 Aligns to V.2 |
Community safety Public health
|
Police agencies issued a directive to comply with 39 standards to ensure consistent service delivery across the province. Province Modernizes Policing Standards | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases |
P.62 P.63 P.68 |
Policing reform
|
The Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team has completed six recommendations in the areas of reports, investigations, RCMP Liaison with the SiRT, Information exchange with police agencies The SiRT investigates deaths, serious injury, sexual assault, intimate partner violence or any matter of public interest that may have arisen from the actions of a police officer. |
P.27 P.28 P.30 P.31 P.32 P.33 P.35 |
Policing reform
|
Awarded the Healing Pathways Community Fund grants to 14 community-based organizations offering grief, bereavement and mental health supports in Colchester, Cumberland and Hants counties. Funding for Grief, Bereavement, Mental Health Supports | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases |
C.13 | Community safety Public health
|
Creating consistency across healthcare professions in Nova Scotia and making it easier to respond to future changes in their fields. |
C.19 |
Public health
|
Appointed Myra Freeman as the permanent chair of the Progress Monitoring Committee. New Chair of Progress Monitoring Committee Appointed | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases |
I.1b | |
Provided funding to the New Start Society to operate Safe Paths program. The program provides clinical counselling services to perpetrators of intimate partner violence with co-occurring substance use disorders. The program serves individuals who are referred by the Department of Community Services and Department of Justice but are currently on a waitlist for counselling sessions. Participants will receive one hour of counselling per week up to 12 weeks by an experienced intern counselor. |
V.9 V.13 V.14 V.15 V.16 C.17 C.32 |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency (NSPHA) prioritizes access to public housing for individuals and families experiencing family violence. NSPHA made changes to the application process to ensure they work more closely with community resources, so survivors of intimate partner violence are better supported as they wait for housing. |
V.7 V.9 V.13 V.14 V.15 V.16 |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
Through the GEO Nova Scotia mobile pilot project, over 1,000 smartphones and mobile plans were distributed in the project’s first year, including more than 400 through Transition House Association of Nova Scotia and YWCA Halifax to support women experiencing intimate partner violence. |
V.2 |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
Reviewed recruitment and training to ensure 911 call-takers are trained to capture all information shared by a community member as fully and accurately as possible, and to listen for background noises or information that may also be important for first responders. |
P.12 | Community safety Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
A new Family Justice Navigation Program will help improve responses to intimate partner violence in the family justice system by offering individualized support, better information, more outreach, help create a support network and continuity of support for people navigating the system. |
P.75 |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
Work underway to ensure police and service providers get regular training related to gender-based violence involving people living with visible and/or invisible disabilities. The first module of this training has been delivered. |
P.75 |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
New training program will help service providers gain skills to effectively manage high-risk domestic violence clients. This comprehensive course includes trauma-informed communication techniques, guidelines for reporting critical developments and the protocols for sharing information with victims. |
P.75 |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
Roots of Empathy, an empathy-based classroom program where children connect and better understand vulnerable people, has had 28,100 students participate, including 1,124 classes in 212 schools around the province. |
C.17 C.32 V.14 |
Community safety
|
The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s “Living Well” program supported 61 youth aged 12 to 30 to participate in programming aimed at healthy relationships, cultural heritage, and safe spaces. There have been workshops on body image, self-care, and a book club called “Dinner with Elders” where youth are connected with Indigenous authors |
C.17 C.32 V.14 |
Community safety
|
Bridges Institute in Truro has increased services, reaching over 125 men since January 2024. The approach engages fathers and kids in activities familiar to them, such as skating parties, bowling, a fishing derby, and library visits, to foster sufficient comfort with Bridges to seek support. |
C.17 C.32 V.14 |
Community safety
|
Cumberland County got its first women’s resource centre. Lilac Place opened in Amherst and offers outreach services, like counselling and employment support. |
V.9 V.15 V.16 |
Community safety
|
|
Status of Women led training sessions, including:
|
C.17 C.32 V.9 V.16 |
Gender-based and intimate partner violence
|
|
Department of Justice has supported the establishment of an expanded full-time RCMP Emergency Response Team |
P.16 |
Policing reform
|
|
Partnered with Be The Peace Institute to facilitate a community engagement initiative. Community conversations resulted in recommendations which are priorities for their engagement and involvement. The community engagement plan will be rolled out in 2025. |
V.14 | Community safety Gender-based and intimate partner violence Policing reform
|
Stay up to date
The Government of Nova Scotia is committed to action, progress and change. This is a complex and significant undertaking involving many partners. Stay up to date as government makes announcements on progress to address the recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission Final Report to make our communities safer and stronger.
With the federal government, we have established the Progress Monitoring Committee, which brings together many diverse voices to help the public stay updated on the progress of the initiatives that Nova Scotia and Canada are taking in response to the report.
Government reports to Progress Monitoring Committee
The Government of Nova Scotia is a participating member of the Progress Monitoring Committee. For all information related to the PMC, please visit https://novascotia.ca/progress-monitoring-committee/
Resources
- Mass Casualty Commission Final Report
- Progress Monitoring Committee
- RCMP Mass Casualty Commission progress hub
- Government of Canada’s Response to the Final Report of the Mass Casualty Commission
News releases
Latest news releases and announcements: