By Canadian Press

Dalhousie law professors ask premier to launch public inquiry into mass shooting

May 15, 2020 | 8:12 AM

HALIFAX — More than 30 faculty members at Dalhousie University’s law school have signed a letter urging Nova Scotia’s premier to call an independent public inquiry into the shooting rampage that took 22 lives last month.

On Thursday, Premier Stephen McNeil said a review of the tragedy should be led by Ottawa, with the province providing support and assistance.

However, 33 of the roughly 40 faculty members of the Halifax university’s Schulich School of Law are calling on McNeil today to initiate a public inquiry with broad terms of reference.

They say in the letter the inquiry’s terms must allow for a critical review of the procedures and decisions employed by police during the April 18 and 19 shootings, and in the months and years leading up to the tragedy.

They also want the inquiry to consider broader social and legal issues that may have been contributing factors, including domestic violence.

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The law professors say a former neighbour’s account earlier this week of the shooter’s prior violence against his intimate partner and his possession of illegal firearms has increased the importance of announcing a public review.

The premier has said he believes Ottawa should lead the inquiry because the RCMP is a federal police force with national protocols.

However, the professors’ letter says Nova Scotia is responsible for law enforcement and the administration of justice in the province.

“The process that your government sets in motion now must be robust enough to assure Nova Scotians that you are doing all that is in your power to ensure that this will never happen again,” the letter says.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2020.

The Canadian Press