Ottawa, June 24 (IANS) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has denied meddling in an investigation into the 2020 mass shooting, the worst the country's history.
Brenda Lucki, head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has been accused of pressuring local officers to help advance Trudeau's gun control plans, the BBC quoted the Halifax Examiner as saying, which was the first to report on the development.
According to the Halifax Examiner, the accusation stemmed from notes made by a local RCMP officer, released as part of a public investigation into the mass shooting on April 18-19, 2020, during which a gunman posing as a police officer killed 22 people in Nova Scotia.
The suspect died in a stand-off with police.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, Trudeau said that his government "did not put any undo influence or pressure" on police.
"It is extremely important to highlight that it is only the RCMP, it is only police that determine what and when to release information," the BBC quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
Denying the accusations, Commissioner Lucki said in a statement released on Tuesday that information sharing between the federal government and police is normal during a high-profile event such as a mass shooting.
The RCMP chief however acknowledged that she "should have been more sensitive" in her approach.
Canada's opposition Conservative Party has called for a debate in the House of Commons, and a parliamentary committee voted on Thursday to hold a hearing into the matter.
In the wake of the deadliest rampage in Canadian history, Prime Minister Trudeau in May 2020 announced an immediate ban on the sale, transportation, importation, or use of some 1,500 makes and models of "military-grade assault-style" weapons.
Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a shot fired in the 13700 block of Grosvenor road. A male suffering from serious injuries was located and transported to a local area hospital.
Richmond RCMP is saddened to report that missing 64-year old Nedunchellian Vasse Pushparaj (male) has been found deceased on May 19, 2022 in the 6800 block of Miller Rd. This incident is not considered suspicious.
The suspect had allegedly entered the gas station holding the hand of his small child and after walking around the store, approached the counter and demanded money. During the course of the robbery, the suspect had pulled up his shirt, exposing the butt of what appeared to be a firearm.
China will comprehensively and seriously evaluate this incident and take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," the Chinese Embassy in Canada said in a statement posted on its website.
Trudeau says the government is working closely with big financial institutions as well as other companies across the country to protect vital networks from malicious attackers.
The first two cases of the virus in Canada were confirmed in Quebec on Thursday, but chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says a couple dozen possible cases are being investigated and the federal public health agency still does not know how widespread it might be.
