Mental health funding tied to 2020 mass shooting part of Nova Scotia budget cuts – Halifax

The Nova Scotia government is cutting funds from mental health programs tied to the 2020 mass shooting in the province.

The cuts are part of a $130-million reduction in government grants to non-profits and community groups in the provincial budget tabled Monday with a $1.2-billion deficit.

The Office of Addictions and Mental Health is cutting a total of $110,000 from two programs, including one related to trauma-informed care.

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Both programs came out of recommendations from the public inquiry that investigated the 2020 shootings in which a gunman dressed as a Mountie killed 22 people over two days.

Serena Lewis was the province’s grief and bereavement co-ordinator in the region where the shooting occurred.

She says it can take years for people to come forward to seek trauma-informed care and there shouldn’t be a timeline on funding.

The government did not immediately provide comment.

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