A Compellable Witness – Why the Gunman’s Spouse Must Testify

The person who might be expected to provide the most in-depth, insightful look at the life and motivations of the Nova Scotia mass shooter, and therefore the most anticipated witness for the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) hearings, is his common-law partner of nearly 20 years, Lisa Banfield. Despite that status, there is considerable doubt as to whether she will actually testify, doubt which has been fostered in great part due to related criminal charges she herself is facing. In this piece, I look at the laws governing such situations, and explain why she is indeed a compellable witness for the MCC hearings.