The public inquiry into the mass shooting in Nova Scotia has already cost $25.6 million on April 18-19, 2020, and there are still about five months remaining in its mandate.

The costs are shared between the federal government and provincial governments for the inquiry, which was established in October 2020 and began public proceedings on February 22 this year.

The inquiry examines the causes and circumstances that led to the shooting deaths of 22 people over 13 hours by an armed individual driving a replica police car, and is expected to recommend ways to help prevent and respond to similar incidents in the future.

According to the expense details provided up to March 31 of this year, the inquiry spent nearly $2.9 million in fiscal year 2020-21, and about $22.7 million in the most recent fiscal year.

About $9.5 million of the cost was allocated to the salaries and benefits of 68 employees, with the Chief Commissioner "Michael MacDonald" receiving up to $2,000 daily and Commissioners "Liane Fitch" and "Kim Stanton" $1,800 daily.

Part of the commission's budget funds the lawyers representing the victims' family members, with this portion of the expenses totaling about $2.5 million so far.