New directors of Nova Scotia mass casualty commission include past SCC justice, law professor

The joint federal/provincial inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass casualty that occurred on Apr. 18 and April 19, 2020 has selected the directors who will lead the various teams supporting its efforts to better protect Canadians in the future.

The teams are tasked with delivering on the mandate of the Mass Casualty Commission, such as through the investigation and collection of evidence; the conduct of meetings, hearings, roundtables and research; and assistance with laying the groundwork for the recommendations in the commission’s report. The commission intends to submit an interim report in May 2022 and a final report in November 2022.

Thomas Cromwell, the newly appointed commission counsel director, has served as justice at the Supreme Court of Canada and at the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, as executive legal officer to former Chief Justice of Canada Antonio Lamer, as chairperson of the Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters of Canada’s chief justice and as senior counsel at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Cromwell, who holds a law degree from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University, has been distinguished as Companion of the Order of Canada.

“My team is responsible for presenting evidence to the Commission that will permit the Commissioners to fulfil their mandate and the many people who have been affected by this mass casualty to get the most complete and accurate answers to their questions,” said Cromwell in the news release.

Dr. Emma Cunliffe, appointed research and policy director, has served as professor of the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, as visiting professor of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University and as a member of the Evidence Based Forensics Initiative. Cunliffe’s research has centred on the investigation and fact-finding process for matters involving violence against women and Indigenous people and other complex criminal matters and has been published in local and international law journals. She has authored, co-authored, edited or co-edited casebooks in criminal law and evidence and books about the legal system.

Cunliffe said that her team’s work “will include commissioning research and policy papers, holding roundtables and inviting those who have an interest in the Mass Casualty Commission's work to share their ideas and insights with us.”

Christine Hanson, appointed executive director and chief administrative officer, has served as director and chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, as chairperson of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies and as an international lawyer and diplomat in numerous roles with Global Affairs Canada. Hanson earned a graduate degree in international law from Georgetown University in Washington and law, public administration and political science degrees from Dalhousie University.

“Our goal is for the Commission to be able to provide meaningful recommendations that are fully implemented so that something like this never happens again and throughout the process, provide the best support possible to survivors and victims of these traumatic events,” said Hanson.

Other appointments include Barbara McLean as investigations director, Mary Pyche as mental health director, and Maureen Wheller as community liaison director.