Minister Blair denies federal interference in NS shooting investigation

Mr. Blair was Minister of Public Safety at the time of the shooting that terrorized Nova Scotia residents and killed 22 people in 1 p.m. on April 18 and 19, 2020.

In a report published Tuesday by the public inquiry into the tragedy, we find the notes of a superintendent of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

This officer maintains that the Commissioner of the RCMPBrenda Lucki, claimed in a meeting that she had promised Mr Blair and the Prime Minister’s Office that information about the weapons used by the shooter would be made public, because this information was linked to a project of gun control law.

The same report quotes a director of communications from the RCMP who said Minister Blair and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intervened on what we could and could not say during federal police press briefings.

Mr Blair categorically denied that Commissioner Lucki had promised to disclose the type of weapons used, or that he had asked her for this information. He added that he also did not tell anyone what the RCMP should disclose of its investigation.

I’m telling you, and I’ll tell the superintendent if I talk to him: I made no effort to pressure the RCMP to interfere in any way with their investigation,” he said. declared. I gave no direction as to what information they should release. These are RCMP operational decisions, I respect that and I have respected it at the time.

Mr. Blair, who is currently Minister of Civil Protection, adds that during a press conference the day after the massacre, Mrs. Lucki and he had mentioned that the investigation by the federal police should follow its course and that in meanwhile, it would be inappropriate for the RCMP to disclose information on the weapons used.

Confidence maintained

Ministers Blair and Mendicino both maintained their confidence in Ms Lucki’s leadership as head of the federal police on Wednesday.

I think it’s important to say that it is a very difficult and demanding job to be an RCMP commissioner, even on the easiest days, Mr. Mendicino said. Certainly the worst mass shooting in the country’s history was probably one of the toughest days, not just for law enforcement, but for all Canadians.

The Tories dismissed the explanations given by Mr Blair and said Ms Lucki should also respond to allegations of political interference.

In a press release published on Tuesday evening, Ms. Lucki assures us that she would not take never take actions or decisions that could compromise an investigation. Briefings with the Minister of Public Security are normal procedure and do not interfere with the independence of the RCMPshe assured.

The Commissioner indicates that several days after the shootingshe met colleagues from the RCMP in Nova Scotia to discuss a number of things […] in particular the circulation of information on the investigation to the General Directorate of RCMP and communication of information to the public.

I regret the way I approached the meeting and I am sorry for the repercussions it had on those present, she wrote. My need for information should have taken more into consideration the seriousness of the circumstances they were experiencing. I should have been more sensitive in my request.

Instrumentalize the killing?

Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen called it a disgusting the fact that Prime Minister Trudeau and his government are using the killings to advance their political agenda on gun control. She also said further investigation into the matter was warranted.

Minister Mendicino replied that this is precisely what the public inquiry commission is currently doing in Nova Scotia. I think we absolutely have to continue to be completely candid with Canadians, which is why the Mass Casualty Commission has within its remit an independent means of looking at the circumstances surrounding all of thishe argued.

Conservative House Leader John Brassard said he was asking MPs to hold an emergency debate in the Commons on the matter, and would then ask a Commons committee to look into the matter further.

Nova Scotia Conservative MP Rick Perkins said he had heard from disgruntled fellow citizens before and said he was surprised that Mr. Blair, a former police officer, would question a member’s written account of the RCMP. Notes that can be shown in court – he hinted they were fakeMr. Perkins said.

New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh has also called for a full investigation into the allegations. The RCMP must always serve the public interest, not the political interest of the governmenthe argued.