N.S. medical examiner open to inquiry in soldier’s death if hospital review weak
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s medical examiner says he’ll consider ordering a public inquiry into the death of a former Canadian soldier who fatally shot his wife, daughter and mother if a provincial review of the man’s mental health treatment doesn’t lead to changes.
The provincial Justice Department had provided a statement last week stating Dr. Matthew Bowes had decided against ordering a judicial inquiry into the death of Lionel Desmond, a 33-year-old veteran of the war in Afghanistan who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
But Bowes clarified Thursday that if he concludes a hospital review of Desmond’s treatment was incomplete, he’d consider using his rarely exercised power to call for a judicial inquiry under the province’s Fatality Inquiries Act.
“Certainly, for me, it’s a ‘No’ right now because for me it doesn’t make sense to order a public policy renewal mechanism when there’s already one occurring,” he said in a telephone interview.