Prime Minister Mark Carney paid tribute to the community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., and the victims of Tuesday’s deadly mass shooting during a speech in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Nine people were killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a residence in the small northern B.C. community. The shooter was found dead with a self-inflicted injury, police said.
Carney’s statement came after MPs held a moment of silence in honour of the victims and their families, and agreed to adjourn the House of Commons until Thursday morning.
Here is the full transcript of Carney’s statement, with English translation of his French remarks.
Mr Speaker, this morning, families in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, woke to a different world. Parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters began this day as their first day on earth without someone they loved dearly.
What happened has left our nation in shock and all of us in mourning. Nine people killed. More than 25 others injured. Some still in hospital fighting for their lives. The investigation is ongoing, and we must allow law enforcement the time and space to do their work accordingly.
Mr. Speaker, as this House knows, Tumbler Ridge is a community of some 2,400 people nestled in the foothills of the Rockies. It is one of the youngest towns in the great province of British Columbia. It was carved out of the wilderness in the 1980s, built on the promise of the resource economy and by the determination of its residents.
It’s a town of miners, teachers, construction workers. Families who have built their lives there, people who have always shown up for each other there.
When wildfires raged, neighbors helped each other pack up and move out of harm’s way. They checked in on seniors and those living alone. They made sure that no one was left behind. When the coal mines shut down, residents supported local businesses. They shared leads for jobs, and they lifted each other up.
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Mr. Speaker, Tumbler Ridge represents the very best of Canada. Resilient, compassionate, and strong.
(IN FRENCH)
Yesterday morning, parents in Tumbler Ridge sent their children off to school, and some will never be able to hug their children again. These children and their teachers bore witness to unheard of cruelty.
I want everyone to know this. Our entire country stands with you. On behalf of all Canadians. I offer my prayers to the victims, to their families and friends, to all those who were injured, and to all those whose lives have been forever changed.
(IN ENGLISH)
I want to express my profound gratitude to the first responders. The RCMP officers who entered immediately that school, not knowing what awaited them. To the paramedics and medical staff at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre. To the teachers and the school staff who acted with extraordinary courage to protect the children in their care.
In the darkest of moments they showed the best of our country.
I have spoken with Premier Eby to express my condolences and those of the Government of of Canada. The minister of public safety has been coordinating the federal response and is en route to Tumbler Ridge with the premier and Minister Robertson. The MP, Bob Zimmer, is already there.
Our officials are in close contact with their provincial and local counterparts to ensure that the community receives every support that we can provide now and in the weeks and months ahead.
Mr. Speaker, we have been here before.
L’École Polytechnique in Montreal. The Islamic Cultural Center of Quebec City. La Loche, Saskatchewan. Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Portapique, Nova Scotia.
Each time, it breaks us open. Each time, Canadians show who we are.
Mr. Speaker, in the days ahead, there will be important questions to ask, difficult conversations to have. We owe that to the victims and their families. But now, it’s time for grieving and remembrance. Now is for the people of Tumbler Ridge and the Peace River region, for a community that is enduring the unimaginable.
(IN FRENCH)
Mr. Speaker, a few moments ago we held a moment of silence for the grieving community and families. For many of them, today, silence is only too heavy.
We will never be able to fully reconcile ourselves with the senseless violence that tore apart Tumbler Ridge yesterday. But we can seek comfort from each other, and we can take care of each other.
(IN ENGLISH)
To those families who have lost loved ones, this House mourns with you. To those who are recovering from injuries, this House prays for you. To the students, the teachers, the parents, every residence of Tumbler Ridge, all of Canada stands with you.
May the memories of those lost be a blessing. May this community, which has shown its resilience so many times before, once again find the strength to heal. And may this House prove worthy of what Tumbler Ridge has always been, by striving to make Canada a better, kinder, and safer place.
Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup.
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