Statement on Five Years Since Mass Casualty

NOTE: The following is a statement from Myra Freeman, Chair, on behalf of the Progress Monitoring Committee.

On April 18 and 19, 2020, the lives of countless people were forever changed in a devastating mass casualty that affected communities in Nova Scotia, Canada, the United States and beyond. The mass casualty created profound grief to those most impacted and five years later, we continue to experience its far-reaching effects.

We remember:

Tom Bagley

Kristen Beaton and unborn child

Greg and Jamie Blair

Joy Bond and Peter Bond

Lillian Campbell

Corrie Ellison

Gina Goulet

Dawn and Frank Gulenchyn

Alanna Jenkins and Sean McLeod

Lisa McCully

Heather O’Brien

Jolene Oliver, Aaron Tuck and Emily Tuck

Const. Heidi Stevenson

E. Joanne Thomas and John Zahl

Joey Webber

We also remember those who have been lost in the years since April 2020, who were deeply affected by these events. We turn our thoughts to those who continue to experience the impacts, both physical and psychological, in the years that have passed.

We remain committed to monitoring and reporting publicly on the initiatives that the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, are undertaking in response to the Mass Casualty Commission final report. We will take the time to mourn and reflect, and then we will continue our work.

We extend our deepest sympathies to all those who have been impacted by the mass casualty. We all have a part to play in bringing about change to make our communities safer and appreciate the efforts of everyone who continues to advocate for these changes.