April 2, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

Psychologically traumatic events such as the mass shooting in Nova Scotia in 2020 can have immediate and lasting consequences on the health and well-being of individuals and communities. To ensure those affected find a path to healing, the Government of Canada is investing in regional solutions to strengthen mental health and grief support services in Nova Scotia, following recommendations from the Mass Loss Commission.

The Honorable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Assistant Secretary of Health, today announced $700,000 to Maggie's Place: A Resource Center for Families Association, a community organization that has served families with young children in Cumberland and surrounding areas for thirty years helps Colchester Counties in Nova Scotia. These funds will support the implementation of family-centered health promotion programs that meet the unique needs of individuals and communities. These programs include parent support groups, educational workshops, and perinatal mental health programs.

The funding for Maggie's Place is part of the $18 million joint investment announced last spring by the Government of Canada and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia, which addresses the recommendations of the Commission's final report on massive losses. The Mass Casualty Commission is an independent public inquiry established to investigate mass casualty incidents in Nova Scotia in 2020 and make actionable recommendations to keep communities safe. Through this investment, the Government of Canada is also working with the Nova Scotia Ministry of Health and Wellness and various community partners to support healing, recovery and resilience in affected communities.