A new report on the mass shooting in Nova Scotia for major class for an overhaul within the RCMP.

It contains 130 recommendations, more than half are directed at the RCMP, after examining the murders of 22 people over two days in April of 2020.

The key areas are broken down in broad terms from the report which is 3,000 pages long.

major changes to RCMP oversight, processes and culture
rethinking the structure of policing in Nova Scotia and police practices across Canada
a national review of public alerting
greater focus on addressing and preventing the root causes of violence in communities, including gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, and family violence
an expanded and more collaborative model to deliver community safety and well-being.

Commissioner Leanne Fitch says there were a number of shortcomings in the response.

The report details mistakes by Mounties for not warning the public about the shooter sooner and the fact he was dressed as a police officer and driving a replica cruiser and was on the move. Their choice to use Twitter as a means to notify the public was also panned.

“There were failures in communications with the public during and in the aftermath of the mass casualty. These must be addressed,” explained Fitch. “That is why we have call for a national review of the public alert system.”

Meantime, Commissioner Michael MacDonald says a pattern of violence and illegal behaviour in years prior to the rampage raises concerns about how police did their due diligence  on Gabriel Wortman.

He stated that should have been addressed.

“Many red flags were known by a broad range of people and have been brought to the attention of police and others over number of years.”

Wortman was eventually killed by police at a gas station just outside of Halifax, N.S.

RCMP responds to harsh criticism 

Nova Scotia’s top cop say the three officers who rushed to the chaotic scene in Portapique almost three years ago did their best.

Those officers arrive to gunshots and fires while without night vision tools to help in their response.

Commanding Officer Dennis Daley (DAILY) says he knows their response fell short of expectations.

“I know our response is not what you needed it to be and for that…I am deeply sorry,” said Daley. “I cannot know your loss; what I hope I can do is provide assurance of our commitment to you – While we can’t change what happened in 2020, we can – and we will – learn.”

He adds the force will work to improve public safety in a transparent way, and have already made changes since the murders in 2020.

PM Trudeau responds to report

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says they will take time to review the recommendations from the Portapique Inquiry and respond to ones they are responsible for.

Trudeau went on to say the day is about those whose lives were taken too soon and their family and friends.

“I thank the commissioners for their work. The Government of Canada will carefully review and respond to the recommendations under federal jurisdiction. We remain deeply committed to working with the people and the communities affected to make our communities safer places to live.

He says it’s hoped this is one of many steps toward ensuring a tragedy like this never happens again.

The inquiry will cost upwards of $47 million between the feds and our province. It heard from 61 witnesses and conducted 230 interviews over eight months of hearings in 2022.