Newfoundland and Labrador has introduced legislation aimed at preventing the kind of mass shooting that occurred in Nova Scotia four years ago.
The worst gun rampage in Canadian history left 22 people dead, including an RCMP officer, just as the pandemic was taking hold.
It was later revealed that the shooter was able to kill so many and evade capture for hours because he was disguised as a Mountie driving an RCMP cruiser.
Nova Scotia has since passed legislation to prevent that from happening again, and now Justice Minister Bernard Davis says this province is following suit.
The Law Enforcement Identity Management Act will better define who can access police items such as uniforms, badges, crests and hats, as well as vehicle markings and vehicle equipment, and make it harder to buy such uniforms, create replica vehicles and impersonate a police officer.
(File photo)
It will also permit searches and seizures of such items, and go further than Nova Scotia to include law enforcement other than the police, such as corrections, sheriffs and wildlife officers.
And there’ll be exceptions for collectors, filming of local movies and T.V. shows, and even kids at Halloween, but there will be public consultations to refine the regulations.
Fines and jail terms will apply to violators, which could also extend to companies that help make decals or other police-like items, as occurred in Nova Scotia.
The legislation was tabled in the House of Assembly today and is expected pass quickly.
However, there’s no timeline on formal implementation, added Davis, noting the key is not just getting it done, but getting it done right.
Once proclaimed, this province will become only the second in Canada to adopt such legislation.
