Tuesday, March 24, 2026
ADVT 
National

Trudeau denies meddling in 2020 shooting probe

Darpan News Desk IANS, 24 Jun, 2022 08:40 AM
  • Trudeau denies meddling in 2020 shooting probe

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.

MORE National ARTICLES

Kenney interviewed by RCMP in criminal probe

Kenney interviewed by RCMP in criminal probe
The police investigation is one of two probes into the 2017 vote, which saw Kenney defeat his main rival Brian Jean to win the top job in the party and eventually become premier.

Kenney interviewed by RCMP in criminal probe

B.C. tables 'cooling off' real estate plans

B.C. tables 'cooling off' real estate plans
Finance Minister Selina Robinson says the Property Law Amendment Act introduced in the legislature today will help build the framework for a protection period for homebuyers to properly assess, finance and inspect the home they want to buy.

B.C. tables 'cooling off' real estate plans

Vancouver Police make arrest after teenager sucker-punched by stranger

Vancouver Police make arrest after teenager sucker-punched by stranger
The assault happened shortly after noon on Sunday, as the victim was walking near West Pender Street and Howe Street. Several bystanders, including a doctor, came to her aid and called 9-1-1. And, although the suspect ran away after the assault, VPD officers moved quickly to obtain security video, then set out searching for him.

Vancouver Police make arrest after teenager sucker-punched by stranger

Research looks at strokes during COVID-19 pandemic

Research looks at strokes during COVID-19 pandemic
The study, published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, was conducted by a team of eight doctors and other researchers across the province.

Research looks at strokes during COVID-19 pandemic

New climate plan more detailed: Guilbeault

New climate plan more detailed: Guilbeault
Under the Liberals' net-zero accountability law passed last year, Guilbeault has until Tuesday to table a new Emissions Reduction Plan in Parliament. It's just the latest in a long list of climate plans Canada has created to hit ever-changing emissions targets, none of which it has met.

New climate plan more detailed: Guilbeault

Feds to launch negotiations to buy F-35

Feds to launch negotiations to buy F-35
While this doesn't mean a deal to purchase the stealth fighter is officially done, it does mean Canada is on the verge of finally choosing a replacement for its aging CF-18s.    

Feds to launch negotiations to buy F-35