Halifax, Nova Scotia – The East Coast Prison Justice Society (ECPJS) is calling for a public fatality inquiry following the death of a 25-year-old man in Halifax / Kjipuktuk earlier this year, citing what it describes as “systemic failures” in Nova Scotia’s approach to mental health and crisis response.
The call comes after the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner determined that the man’s death on February 22, 2025, was a homicide resulting from “complications of a physical altercation with Halifax Regional Police (HRP) officers during an acute psychotic episode.” The findings were released alongside a report from the province’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), which examined the circumstances surrounding the case.
According to ECPJS, the SiRT report (file #2025-0019) reveals multiple missed opportunities by healthcare and law enforcement systems to provide adequate support and intervention for a man experiencing severe mental distress. The organization says that the case exemplifies long-standing systemic issues at the intersection of mental health and policing in Nova Scotia.
Pattern of Missed Intervention
In its statement, the East Coast Prison Justice Society outlined a series of failures that, it argues, contributed to the tragedy. These include repeated police interactions that did not lead to appropriate care, limited availability of crisis services, and a lack of coordination between health and justice systems.
“HRP officers responded to four separate calls related to mental health concerns in the days leading up to the fatal encounter,” the release stated. “None of these interactions resulted in the man receiving appropriate mental health support or services.”
ECPJS highlighted that the family had contacted the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team (MHMCT) multiple times for assistance and wellness checks, but were informed that the team was short-staffed and unable to respond for two to three days. They were advised instead to call the police if the situation became urgent.
The statement also noted that on the day of his death, the man was voluntarily transported to hospital by Emergency Health Services (EHS) seeking mental health treatment, but after several hours without receiving care, he left the facility still in crisis. Later that same day, he was again approached by police—without the support of mental health professionals—and a physical altercation ensued involving restraints, handcuffs, and a conducted energy weapon (CEW), resulting in his death.
Concerns Over Use of “Excited Delirium”
ECPJS expressed concern over the continued use of the term “excited delirium” in official reports describing the death, despite its rejection by major Canadian medical and scientific authorities, as well as by the Hyde Inquiry—a 2010 fatality inquiry into the death of Howard Hyde, a man living with schizophrenia who died after police encounters.
The organization noted that the term was used by an HRP officer, an EHS paramedic, and the medical examiner. ECPJS said its use was “problematic and risky,” arguing that it undermines medical accuracy and accountability.
Renewed Call for Accountability and Reform
ECPJS stated that a comprehensive, transparent fatality inquiry is essential to examine these failures and ensure accountability. “Such an inquiry is not only in the public interest, but is also critical to improving public safety,” the organization said.
The group reiterated its previous calls to action, including:
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A moratorium on police deployment to wellness checks;
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Funding for community-led, non-police mobile crisis services;
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Investments in residential crisis facilities and peer respite centres; and
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Development of a province-wide system of paid mental health peer support workers, consistent with recommendations from the Hyde Inquiry.
Broader Systemic Issues
ECPJS and allied organizations, including the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), have long argued that police should not be first responders to people in mental distress. They recommend a civilian-led model for crisis response, rooted in care rather than criminalization.
Their joint submission to the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) echoed this position:
“ECPJS and BCCLA recommend removing law enforcement as first responders to behavioural health crises in Nova Scotia and overhauling the current Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team model in conjunction with crisis care experts, including those with lived experience. Crisis calls should be exclusively diverted and responded to by civilian-only teams employing peers.”
The MCC’s final report supported these recommendations, urging the province to “establish a comprehensive and adequately funded model of mental health care service provision” that includes first response and continuing community supports to prevent recurring crises.
Emerging Non-Police Models
Nova Scotia has recently introduced two pilot initiatives—Crisis Intervention and Outreach (CIAO) in West Hants and the Crisis Assistance and Response (CARE) team in Halifax Regional Municipality—to provide civilian-led crisis response services. Both projects aim to reduce reliance on law enforcement and are supported by the provincial Office of Addictions and Mental Health and Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.
While ECPJS welcomed these developments, it warned that “continued reliance on police officers as first responders to mental health crisis calls continues to create preventable risks and harms.” The organization called for “immediate and sustained action from all levels of government” to ensure proper funding, coordination, and accountability in crisis care systems.
Contact Information:
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Dr. Jamie Livingston, Saint Mary’s University – [email protected]
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Sheila Wildeman, Dalhousie Health Justice Institute – [email protected]
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Dr. El Jones, Mount Saint Vincent University – [email protected]
