Justice critic wants Nova Scotia to review reasons behind spike in shootings

Nova Scotia saw 62 shootings in 2021 — more than double any other year since 2015

CITYnews halifax \ Chris Stoodley

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After Nova Scotia saw a new spike in shootings last year, a justice critic wants the province to conduct a review and figure out why.

In 2021, police responded to 62 shootings in the Halifax area. That’s more than double any other year since 2015.

Moreover, at least seven people were killed in shootings last year including an eight-year-old who died while sitting inside a vehicle in Dartmouth.

“I think we’re all looking for answers,” MLA Angela Simmonds, who’s the Liberal justice critic, said. “There’s been an increase in gun violence; we know it’s doubled. We know that the minister knows this, minister (Brad) Johns. We know that the Houston government knows this, and they won’t consider a review.

“I think it’s a lack of leadership if they’re not going to be looking at a review and ask the question of why.”

She told CityNews Halifax a review could look at the potential reasons why shootings were so high in 2021 compared to previous years.

Police figures show the Halifax area saw fewer shootings over the past few years:

• 27 in 2020
• 20 in 2019
• 23 in 2018
• 15 in 2017
• 27 in 2016
• 17 in 2015

Simmonds said one of the reasons there should be a review is so that Nova Scotians can be comforted by the fact that the rise in shootings likely isn’t random.

“I don’t believe there are bad people in Nova Scotia,” she said. “There’s bad situations, so we need to look at that. … Maybe ask ourselves some questions about the number of illegal guns in this province, education, mental health, social inequities.”

The rise of gun violence isn’t just limited to Nova Scotia — it seems to be nationwide.

Statistics Canada data shows shootings have been the most common method of homicide in Canada for several years and it only continues to grow.

In 2020, there were 743 recorded homicides — and 277 of those were shootings. There were 264 shootings in 2019 and 251 in 2018.

The federal government announced a Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund in 2019, where Nova Scotia was to see $4.7 million.

Minister of justice Brad Johns told CBC News there are still several years of that funding which is set to go toward a strategy for gun and gang violence, intelligence gathering as well as training for police and crown attorneys.

While Johns hasn’t committed to a review, he added that the Justice Department is continuously discussing with federal and municipal police organizations and is open to considering any suggestions.

“As it is my job to hold government accountable right now, I frankly believe that that’s a cop-out — it’s a lack of addressing the issue,” Simmonds said about Nova Scotia not conducting a review. “By suggesting that it’s random, we know gun violence happens in this province. … Regardless of community, it is a province-wide issue.”

After conducting a review, she said the government can then work with the community to address the issues.

“Then we’re able to ask the question of why and we’re able to collaborate with community folks,” she said. “People who are on the ground every day — grassroots— who know and live the experiences of some of those socioeconomic status situations or systemic issues that come to the forefront.”

She said she realizes there won’t be a full review or any substantial change overnight, but she thinks the politics should stay in this situation since that’s where the laws and legislation change.

“A young person was killed and people have died and have been injured,” she said. “This is no comfort to the moms or the sisters or the brothers, the uncles, the aunties, the grandparents who have lost their child.

“What would be comfort is that they’re going to be addressing the issue and not placing the burden on individuals, but actually conducting a review to ask the questions of why.”