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

Ottawa, ON, Aug. 31, 2026 /CNW/ -- 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 18^th and 19^th, 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.

This work has been accompanied by significant action by the Government of Canada, together with Nova Scotia and the RCMP, to respond to the Commission's recommendations. These efforts include strengthening gun control measures, advancing initiatives to address gender-based and intimate partner violence, improving supports for mental health and community well-being, strengthening emergency response and public alerting systems, and implementing reforms to enhance public safety and policing.

We want to thank the members of the Progress Monitoring Committee, past and present, for their dedication, leadership, and advocacy. In particular, we recognize the contributions of affected family members, whose voices and experiences formed a central part of this work. Their commitment has ensured that the memory of those lost remains at the heart of our efforts and continues to guide our path forward.

While the Committee's mandate has concluded, our work has not. The Government of Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the lessons and recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission, supporting those affected by the events of April 18 and 19, and working with all partners to build safer communities across the country."

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Contacts: Simon Lafortune, Deputy Director of Communications and Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, [email protected] | Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected] | Joannie Fogue, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, [email protected] | Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]