“No comment” isn’t good enough

The RCMP is missing a chance to rebuild trust in Nova Scotia

With public trust in the RCMP still shaken by the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia and a scathing inquiry of its failures, the Mounties missed a vital chance to show change in the recent investigation of two missing children in Lansdowne Station.

Despite clear recommendations calling for improved transparency, public trust and media relations, the RCMP fell back on familiar habits of declining interviews and offering “no comment” at a time when the public needs clarity, compassion and leadership.

Silence doesn’t serve the public or the police, especially in emotionally charged cases like missing children.

Commissioner Brenda Lucki herself acknowledged the need to move past this old mindset. In a 2022 interview for the Mass Casualty Commission, she said:

"We’ve always felt that because things are under investigation, we can't release anything. That's not the case anymore... We just have to ensure what’s shared doesn’t compromise the investigation."

She went on to say: "we have been doing a lot of work to be more transparent, giving our commanding officers more media training, giving them training so that they can be more forthright in the information instead of saying, `No comment,' or `I can't speak about that."

Yet, when large-scale search efforts resumed last weekend, the RCMP declined to comment, according to a CTV article on May 17. Then again, on May 21, CBC reported the RCMP had declined another interview request. All while rumours spread and a community mourned.

It’s not about releasing investigative details — it’s about showing up. Even a short, pre-approved statement delivered in person with empathy, reassurance and a sense of action goes much further than a “no comment” or faceless media release. A simple quote like:

“We know people are looking for updates. While we don’t have new details to share at this time, our investigators are actively pursuing all leads and remain committed to this case” or “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones. We understand how concerned the community is — and we share that concern.”

That’s not compromising an investigation. That’s compassion. And it’s what the public deserves.

Instead, the RCMP danced around critical facts — only later admitting the major crimes unit was involved from the start. They waited days to say all missing persons cases are treated as suspicious. Even at a press conference, they used vague language like “take survivability into consideration” before confirming the children were no longer believed to be alive after pressure from reporters. Why not be honest and clear from the outset?

This reluctance to speak isn't just bad communications, it continues to erode trust. In fact, RCMP data shows that public trust dropped from 74% in 2018–19 to 58% in 2022–23. A 2023 government report notes a lack of transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the mass shooting was a factor in eroding trust in Atlantic Canada.

This case was a chance to do better — to be visible, empathetic and lead the narrative. Instead, the silence sent a message that the RCMP still doesn’t get it.

To the RCMP: Don’t abandoned us with your silence. The community is watching. The country is watching. Your words matter. Use them wisely, honestly and often. Because “no comment” isn’t good enough anymore.