Anne McLellan, former deputy prime minister has withdrawn as a commissioner into the shooting spree in April that left 22 people dead. 

Nova Scotians have not heard their top elected officials voice public support for an inquiry into the mass shooting prior to this week.

Information used to obtain search warrants for properties owned by the gunman was unsealed by the courts, but some of that information has caused widespread speculation, the RCMP says.

The families of the 22 people killed in the tragedy say the announcement of a full public inquiry is the result of their determination and public support.

The inquiry will be equipped with the ability to summon witnesses or require them to provide evidence as well as the power to subpoena documents. 

The rally came after both the provincial and federal governments established an independent review into the incident.

The gunman in the Nova Scotia shooting that killed 22 people is alleged to have trafficked drugs and firearms from the United States, according to newly released court documents.

A 22-minute general strike honoured the 22 victims who were killed last April in one of the worst mass killings in Canadian history.

"We'd been asking for a feminist analysis which is to look at women and women's position and what violence against women means in Nova Scotia."

Since Thursday, thousands have already signed a petition calling for a public inquiry -- not just a review -- into the shooting spree.