Results: A Canadian Tragedy

On the weekend of April 18-19, Canadians, for the first time in weeks, briefly put news of Covid-19 health crisis out of their minds, and instead shifted their attention and thoughts to Nova Scotia, one of our eastern provinces. In a 12 hour period, the killer, disguised as an RCMP officer and driving a replica RCMP patrol car was able to kill 22 people, injure 3 more and leave in his wake, 16 crime scenes. The killer was himself gunned down in a gas-station shootout with police on Sunday morning, 12 hours after his rampage began. The RCMP is being criticized in the way they handled the situation, with many feeling that some of the later victims could have been saved, if the public had been informed sooner. Regardless of this, and it surely will be the focus of an investigation for some time, this survey is not about the tragedy. Make no mistake, this is a terrible tragedy. This survey is about how Canada responded to the tragedy. First off, where you aware of this horrible tragedy?

As I mentioned, despite the health crisis that has been the focus of all our lives for weeks and weeks, for a brief time, Canadian turned their attention eastward -- Nova Scotia life revolves around the sea, and it is known for its bustling coastal cities, to historic waterfront sites, to beautiful hikes and scenic drives. And ask anyone who has ever visited, it is known for its honest, hard-working, friendly people. Tragedies like this are very uncommon in Canada, and almost unheard of out east. So, when a tragedy of this magnitude strikes, Canada does what it always does in time of tragedy. We wrapped our collective arms (figuratively of course, since it is still physical distancing here) and embraced this province that is grieving at such a difficult time. Here is just a few things that have happened to show N.S. that we Canadian all care. Have you participated or witnessed in any of these (Canadians or not)?

Whenever tragedy strikes, Canadians band together to hold outside vigils to let the victims' families and friends know that they are in our hearts, but with the present health crisis, these vigils can not take place, or are done "virtually". Do you think that being physically together at time of tragedy is important for the healing process?

Following this tragedy, Prime Minister Trudeau asked media outlets to "avoid" both mentioning the name of killer and "showing" his picture. "Do not give him the gift of infamy," the prime minister said to reporters on Monday during his daily address outside his home in Ottawa. "Let us instead focus all our intention and attention on the lives we lost and the families and friends who grieve." After a gunman killed 51 people and injured dozens of others at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in March 2019, the country's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said she wouldn't speak the perpetrator's name and urged people to "deny" him the spotlight he sought. Do you agree that the focus should be on the victims and away from the one who caused the tragedy?