Murphy’s Logic: The mass shooting inquiry should put facts over feelings
It took almost five years, but the public inquiry into the Westray Mine disaster ultimately produced a report that was both damning and specific about the many failures that led to the explosion that claimed 26 lives.
It named names and assigned responsibility and recommended changes to prevent it from happening again. Although no one was ever convicted of a crime, Justice Peter Richard left no doubt that the conduct of individuals and institutions -- characterized as incompetent, deceitful, and apathetic -- led to a preventable disaster.
And, he went further, finding it ought to have been prevented.
These many years later, the commission investigating the 2020 Nova Scotia mass murder seems well on track to producing a report unlikely to answer the public's most basic questions: How did it happen and why? Who in the RCMP was making decisions during and after the killing spree and could it have been prevented?
The commission's overarching mandate -- to be trauma-focused -- suggests protecting feelings may pre-empt facts.
From the very beginning, the RCMP have been defensive and secretive about their handling of the events of April 2020. The initial focus of the RCMP’s briefings was on their own lost and injured members and on what were characterized as the heroic efforts of the responding officers.
But, in fairness, this was no triumph of policing, as a killer kept killing, while the public remained largely unaware of the threat.
It is not a sign of disrespect to analyze and question the actions of people who often heroically wear a uniform of service. The uniform is not a shield from accountability. And while it is true that feelings must be respected as words are parsed and actions are critically reviewed, there can be no escaping responsibility for those who are empowered and entrusted to protect the public.
Assigning responsibility is not a vengeful laying of blame.
In the case of the events of April 2020, many serious mistakes were made. One would think or hope that the leadership of the RCMP, and the people to whom they report, would be first among those who would want to know what went wrong -- if they don't actually know already.
Beyond insulting the memories of the dead and further bruising the emotions of their family members, the misguided attempt to have feelings trump facts has provided oxygen to the already burning fire of suspicion of coverup.
The lack of information from the very beginning, the emphasis on the mass murder as a police shooting, rather than wholesale community carnage, was the kindling that stoked the fire of suspicion.
Although the commission’s hearings have produced a slow drip of new information, most of it should have been made public long ago and might have been were it not for the ease with which privacy is now used to perpetuate secrecy.
Without even waiting to read the commission’s report, it seems likely to be dismissed by some, and perhaps many, as a whitewash -- a part of a coverup.
And regrettably, it has already taken quite a very long time to accomplish very little.
It is not too late for the commissioners to look to the example of the Westray inquiry, to assign responsibility and put the facts first.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.