West Nova Conservative MP Chris d'Entremont addresses the House of Commons on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Image from https://www.ourcommons.ca/.
The province’s lone opposition MP continues to push for a public inquiry into the Portapique shooting.
West Nova’s Chris d’Entremont raised the issue of an independent inquiry in the House of Commons two months ago.
The federal and provincial governments committed to a review last week, but as the Conservative MP explains – that’s not enough.
“I don’t think that it’s ever too late to admit that you’re wrong and to pivot to an inquiry as has been asked,” he noted. “The challenges with a review are simply (that) it does not have the adequate responsibility to compel information.”
d’Entremont encourages people to continue with activism calling for a public inquiry, including marches, writing to MPs and MLAs, and signing petitions.
He stated that the families and friends of the victims, residents of Colchester County, and anyone who opposes the review instead of an inquiry will keep pushing.
“The whole idea of an independent judicial review, or an independent judicial inquiry, is to bypass government departments so that you can get all the information that you need for these things,” he explained. “Getting it the way that they’re saying that it’s going to work will not give the information or provide justice to the friends and families.”
He says his next step is to continue talking with and listening to community and family members affected by the shooting, and moving forward with a petition that will be presented in the House of Commons.
The joint federal-provincial review panel is expected to present its final report in August 2021.
Meantime, calls for a public inquiry continue at the grassroots level as well.
Women’s Wellness Within advocacy group is calling for a Canada-wide 22 minute strike at noon on Monday,July 27th, encouraging people to join online or in-person.
The group is asking people to stop what they’re doing for 22 minutes and demand that leaders call for comprehensive public inquiry.
As well, a peaceful march is planned for Wednesday in Halifax.
A facebook group named Nova Scotians for a Public Inquiry now counts more than 14,000 members.
