Review Commission finds RCMP investigation into Nova Scotia workplace death was inadequate

The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission reported that the Mounties apologized for their 'grossly inadequate' investigation into a 2020 workplace death in Nova Scotia. The deceased, 26-year-old engineer Andrew Gnazdowsky, drowned after jumping into a reservoir to retrieve equipment. The Commission noted that the Mounties failed to understand their role in investigating a workplace death, and the RCMP declined to conduct a criminal investigation, stating it was unlikely to lead to a successful prosecution.

The incident occurred after Nova Scotia’s Labour Department charged three businesses with violating the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act, resulting in convictions and fines for failing to provide a safe workplace. The Commission’s findings highlight systemic issues regarding the police force’s role in workplace safety investigations.