NDP calling for a return to legislature over inquiry

The NDP want an emergency return to the Nova Scotia Legislature saying the provincial government needs to face opposition and explain their grounds for choosing an independent panel to review April's massacre of 22 people instead of a public inquiry.

On Thursday, both the federal and provincial governments named a three-person panel to review the cause and circumstances of the shooting rampage in central and northern Nova Scotia instead of the full public inquiry that the families of the 22 victims had demanded.

“The government has made a major mistake here,” said Burrill, who told NEWS 95.7's Todd Veinotte that the NDP is calling for the government to reconvene legislature after a lengthy adjournment.

“We, in the NDP, have called for the government to reconvene the legislature on an emergency basis so we can present a bill – a piece of legislation – that will provide for the convening of a full-fledged inquiry into the April shootings. That's the thing that's required.”

Burrill added that the government's reasoning for a review instead of a full public inquiry “lacks sound arguments” and the true grounds for the decision would be exposed with such a return to legislature.

“In the legislature, the government is required in a sustained, systematic way to put forward its reasoning and arguments,” said Burrill. “What I'm saying is that their arguments, under sustained scrutiny, will not stand up.”

Due to the pandemic, the Nova Scotia legislature has been adjourned since March 10th.