The Commissioner of the RCMP is denying claims she interfered in the investigation into the mass shooting in Nova Scotia.
Brenda Lucki was upset the details about the guns used were not quickly released following the murders. It’s believed she wanted that information public because it would prop up public support for the Liberals new gun control laws.
Former Public Safety Minister Bill Blair shook off the allegations when responding to questions by the Conservatives during an intense round of Question Period at the House of Commons in Ottawa.
“It’s apparent that the Opposition is more interested in drama than in truth,” he said. “The commissioner has confirmed that no direction and no pressure was given by me or by any member of this government to direct her in any way.”
Nova Scotia police didn’t want to release the gun details because it would hurt their investigation into how Gabriel Wortman obtained the guns.
“There is a fact here, and the commissioner has confirmed, that no direction or pressure was given by me or any member of this government to direct her in any way.” said Blair.
The allegations were brought forward during the Portapique Inquiry on Tuesday, when notes from a meeting among senior RCMP leadership 10 days after the shooting were made public.
The notes were taken by RCMP Superintendent Darren Campbell and revealed Lucki had promised government officials and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that police would release information about the firearms used by the shooter.
The Liberals were already working on new gun control measures at the time, and Lucki supported their position.
Twenty-two people were killed by a lone gunman during a 13-hour rampage on April 18 and 19 in rural Nova Scotia.
The inquiry is looking into what could have been done differently to save lives.
