On May 1, less than two weeks after Canada’s worst mass shooting to date, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a ban on military-style assault weapons. “These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only — to kill the largest amount of people in the shortest amount of time,” he told the public during his […]
Victoria Walton
Victoria was a full-time reporter with The Coast from April 2020 until mid-2022, when the CBC lured her away. During her Coast tenure, she covering everything from COVID-19 to small business to politics and social justice. Originally from the Annapolis Valley, she graduated from the University of King’s College School of Journalism in 2017.
Psychologists step up to offer free services in wake of shootings
On Tuesday, just nine days after the worst massacre in Canadian history, Nova Scotia announced mental health supports for anyone living in the province who needs it. The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) says is it arranging one free-of-charge psychological support session per Nova Scotian thanks to a roster of psychologists who are volunteering their […]
RCMP continue to investigate what gunman wore, drove and where he went
The gunman in Nova Scotia’s mass shootings on April 18 and 19 was caught on camera at least a dozen times during the course of his 13-hour rampage. Provincial RCMP revealed more information about the ongoing investigation in an update on Tuesday, April 28. “Having provided an account of the incidents this past Friday, […]
RCMP release detailed timeline of Nova Scotia massacre
Friday morning, after days of media outlets publishing unconfirmed details, Nova Scotia RCMP finally gave an updated timeline of the events of April 18 and 19. The update came from Supt. Darren Campbell, officer in charge of support services for Nova Scotia RCMP. He began by reiterating how small of a community Portapique is, […]
How to donate to families of the shooting victims
The Red Cross and the Province of Nova Scotia have created the Stronger Together Fund to provide support to the individuals, families and communities affected by the tragedy of April 18 and 19. Donations can be made online, or by calling 1-800-418-1111 and specifying it is for the Stronger Together Nova Scotia Fund. Donations are […]
How to tune in to Nova Scotia’s virtual vigil
A vigil to honour the 22 killed in this weekend’s mass-killings in Colchester county will take place online beginning Friday, April 24, at 7pm Atlantic Time, allowing Nova Scotians to recognize their grief together. It will be hosted by the Colchester- Supporting our Communities Facebook group. It will also be streamed on YouTube. The website […]
Why didn’t Nova Scotia’s RCMP use the emergency alert system?
During last weekend’s tragic shootings, RCMP kept the public updated online via social media. The police didn’t take advantage of the province’s Emergency Alert System, which has previously been used for everything from missing people to COVID-19. “Public Health ordered us to put the COVID one out, we were happy to support them,” said Nova […]
Nova Scotia in mourning: What we know about the victims
Heidi Stevenson Stevenson was a wife to Dean, mother of two to 13-year-old Connor and 11-year-old Ava, and a former community liaison officer with Halifax District RCMP. Constable Stevenson had 23 years of experience in the force and colleague Commanding Officer Chris Leather called Stevenson “a true hero” who died in the line of duty on Sunday […]
Nova Scotia RCMP give update on mass killings
A briefing from Nova Scotia RCMP on Monday afternoon confirmed that the death toll in the Nova Scotia shootings now totals at least 19. “We continue to gather information and seek out answers, but we can confirm now that there are in excess of 19 victims,” said Nova Scotia RCMP’s Criminal Operations Officer Chief Superintendent […]
What we know about Nova Scotia’s mass killings
Late in the evening on Saturday, April 18, RCMP first got word of an armed gunman in Portapique near East River Nova Scotia. Within 12 hours, the rampage would end with at least 19 dead, including an RCMP officer. The rural cottage community of Portapique on the Bay of Fundy is about an hour-and-a-half from […]
Trudeau announces $82 billion in emergency aid for Canadians
On Wednesday Prime Minister Trudeau announced a combined $27 billion in emergency funding and $55 billion through tax deferrals to get Canadians through COVID-19. “No matter where you live or who you are, you will get the support you need during this time,” he said from outside his home at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. Up […]
Now’s the time to look out for small business in Halifax
A s coronavirus spreads across Canada, shutting down local businesses and national companies in its wake, Canadians are being forced into their homes and out of public places like restaurants and bars. Hundreds if not thousands of small businesses and their employees are now struggling to make ends meet as their income is slashed. “It’s […]

