Joint Statement by Ministers Anandasangaree and Fraser on the final report from the Progress Monitoring Committee 

Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, issued the following statement:

August 31, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario - Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, issued the following statement:

“On April 18th and 19th, 2020, the deadliest mass shooting in our country’s history claimed the lives of 22 Canadians and forever changed the lives of countless others. We remember those whose lives were lost, those we have lost in the years since, and the families, survivors, communities and all who continue to carry the impacts of these events today.

In the years since, the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia, together with our partners, have worked to advance the important lessons and recommendations set out by the Mass Casualty Commission to better prevent and respond to critical incidents and mass casualty events, and make Canadian communities safer.

Over the past three years, the Progress Monitoring Committee has supported engagement, accountability, and transparency as the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have worked together to bring forward the change called for by the Commission. Today, we acknowledge the Committee's third and final Annual Report, marking the completion of its mandate.

Over the course of its mandate, the Committee has provided valuable independent oversight and assessment of the efforts undertaken by governments and the RCMP to advance the Commission's recommendations. Its contributions have helped ensure this work remained transparent, informed by those most affected, and focused on achieving lasting change.