Homeless Shelter Removal - QP

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice.

On August 18th, Halifax Police put on body armour and riot gear and deployed pepper spray in downtown Halifax as they removed emergency shelters where people were living in front of the former Halifax Library. A petition with more than 2,000 names calling for an independent review of police actions has been submitted to the Halifax Police Commission.

The minister is new at his job. He may not know that the Police Act provides the minister with the ability to order an investigation into any matter related to policing, including an investigation respecting the operation and administration of a police department.

I would like to ask the minister: Will the minister agree to order an independent investigation into the actions taken by Halifax Police on August 18th?

HON. BRAD JOHNS « » : Mr. Speaker, through you to the member, I am familiar that the Halifax Police Commission with Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking some clarification in regard to that and what their abilities are. The Department of Justice will not be acting on that until there comes a request from that commission.

CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : It is true that the responsibilities of the commissioner are unclear, but the responsibilities of the minister are very clear and laid out in legislation. He could order that review today if he wanted.

It has been widely reported that on August 18th, a number of Halifax police officers were not wearing name tags and some had thin blue line patches on their uniforms - and I will table that. During the afternoon, the Canadian Association of Journalists shared on social media that they were concerned about the limits police were placing on reporters covering the dismantling of the shelters, and they emphasized that reporters have the right to be there - and I will table that. The Police Act is clear: Police services are to be delivered in a manner consistent with community values, needs, and expectations.

I would like to ask the minister: Does the minister think that the actions taken by Halifax Police on August 18th are consistent with community needs, values, and expectations?

BRAD JOHNS « » : Mr. Speaker, through you to the member, I believe most of what you have quoted is from media and hearsay. (Interruptions) I will wait to hear exactly what comes out as fact from the review that the Halifax Police Commission is doing.