Interim RCMP commissioner hasn’t read mass casualty report but ‘committed to go through’ recommendations

The Mass Casualty Commission's final report on the April 2020 shooting included 130 recommendations, 75 about policing.

The interim RCMP commissioner and the head of the Nova Scotia RCMP say they’re committed to review the recommendations in a scathing final report from the Mass Casualty Commission, but both admit they haven’t read the document.

“As police officers, we bear tremendous responsibility to keep the people and communities safe. The April 2020 mass casualty event was something we had never seen before in Canada, and I can’t even imagine what you have endured,” said RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, during a media availability in Truro, N.S. on Thursday afternoon.

“The RCMP is fully committed to rebuilding the trust and confidence of Nova Scotians as part of these efforts. We must ensure that the vital work of the Commission will last a lasting impact on public safety locally, nationally and internationally.”

Duheme said there’s a team at the RCMP going through the report, released today, and that an action plan will be tabled.

“We will be reporting of the progress on an outward facing website in which the population can see the progress that the RCMP is doing. I think that’s a good form of accountability,” he said.

When pressed by reporters, who pointed out that the RCMP received an advanced copy of the report on Wednesday morning, Duheme reiterated he had not read the report, nor was he certain if his team received the full version or executive summary ahead of time.

“I haven’t seen any of the recommendations,” he said.

“I haven’t gone through the recommendations just yet. Doesn’t minimize the impact of what took place. I just haven’t had time to go through the recommendations.”