Premier promises action in light of murder-suicide of mother, 4-year-old son

Premier Wade MacLauchlan says the provincial government will be taking immediate action to prevent similar tragedies in light of the murder-suicide of Nash Campbell and his mother, Patricia Hennessey.

The premier made the comments in the P.E.I. Legislature Tuesday after he received the jury's recommendations from the Campbell-Hennessey inquest.

• Chief Coroners Recommendation to Minister 

Sunday, June 21 will mark the second anniversary of their deaths. 

"Our government agrees with the recommendations, which focus on the need for better sharing of information, and greater collaboration across government and agencies working with high-risk families," said MacLauchlan. 

"It is clear that we need to break down barriers and ensure our focus is always on the best interests of a child, with government agencies working together to best support the needs of the child and the family."

Hennessey had lost custody of her 4-year-old son after a bitter custody battle and was scheduled to turn her son over to his father the next day. 

Instead, Hennessey drove with her son to a rural road in St. Felix, near Tignish, sedated them both and set the vehicle on fire. Their deaths were ruled a murder-suicide.

An inquest into their deaths was held in March. A six person jury panel made 15 recommendations to coroner Dr. Roy Montgomery.

Those recommendations were passed on to Chief Coroner, Dr. Desmond Colohan, who delivered them to the premier.

Timely access to services

In the Legislature Tuesday MacLauchlan said intervention and supports must be timely accessible and collaborative. 

"We will focus on improving training for front-line workers, timely access to services and ensure all agencies are working together."

The premier said training to recognize high-risk situations, strategies for prevention, as well as mandatory training on domestic violence and child abuse will be provided by health care workers and front-line employees delivering child and family services.

"Our government will work with our justice system to ensure timelier access to  child custody assessments in high-risk family court cases, and work to remove any barriers to successful resolution of dangerous situations." 

The premier also said child protection policies and procedures will be strengthened, particularly as they relate to high-risk cases.

"We will improve information sharing between families, government services, and the justice system. We will provide additional training to child protective services, particularly as it relates to parental engagement." 

Child advocate to be considered

The jury also recommended the government consider appointing a child advocate. P.E.I. is the only province without one.

The premier said he will look at the cost of creating that position and its effectiveness in other jurisdictions.

Opposition House Leader James Aylward said the government needs to do more. 

"I would like to suggest to this government another step forward. P.E.I. desperately, desperately needs a child and family advocate. Most jurisdictions have this service in place," said Alyward. 

"I truly feel this would be very important move, a positive step moving forward and advantageous to all Islanders."

MacLauchlan says his government will act on the recommendations by next spring.