Prime Minister Mark Carney led federal, provincial and local leaders in praising the resilience and grace of Tumbler Ridge residents at a vigil in memory of the victims of Tuesday’s mass shooting in the B.C. community.
The shooting, in which eight people were killed including six children, has rocked the tight-knit community in northeast B.C., as well as the country as a whole.
Partisan politics were put aside as federal leaders joined Friday’s vigil.
Carney was joined by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and NDP interim Leader Don Davies, among others.
WATCH | Leaders place flowers at a memorial in Tumbler Ridge:
Carney, party leaders mourn victims of school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP interim Leader Don Davies and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May mourned the victims of a mass shooting in the community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., which left eight people dead, including students, an educator and the shooter’s mother and half-brother.
In his remarks at the vigil, Carney said it was important for leaders to be present for the people of Tumbler Ridge, and not just through a screen from Ottawa.
“We wanted you to hear that Canadians are with you. We will always be with you,” he said.
“We wanted you to hear that whatever portion of your sadness that Canadians can bear to help to ease your heavy load, we will gladly do so.”
PHOTOS | Vigils and memorials for Tumbler Ridge shooting victims:
The vigil started with attendees singing O Canada, followed by Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka asking for a moment of silence to honour the victims.
“None of us walks through this alone,” Krakowka said during his opening speech.
“This evening is about remembrance, it’s about reflection, it’s about love.”
Leaders of local First Nations then addressed the vigil with remarks, a prayer and a song.
WATCH | District mayor opens the vigil:
Tumbler Ridge mayor opens vigil by asking for prayers
Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka, talking to a vigil attended by federal leaders after a mass shooting in his community, said the evening was about remembrance, reflection and love.
Carney began his remarks by acknowledging previous crises in Tumbler Ridge — tough economic times and wildfires — and how the community came together to support each other then.
“And when the unimaginable happened on Tuesday, you were there again,” he said. “First responders at the school in less than two minutes. Teachers shielding their children.
“You held each other — as you’re holding each other right now.”
From left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon hold hands during a song and prayer from First Nations leaders. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)
Carney went on to remember some of the victims in the shooting, and offered prayers to those who are fighting for their lives.
He said Canada was with the people of Tumbler Ridge, a community that relied on each other’s grace.
“When we leave here tonight, some you will go back to quiet houses, some of you will go home to empty rooms. Please know that you’re not alone.”
In his remarks, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said each of the victims had stories, and that they would live on in this world through everyone’s memories of them.
Referring to his federal counterparts, he made very clear that this was not a time for politics.
“We all lead political parties. But today? There are no Conservatives. There are no Liberals, New Democrats, Greens or Bloc Québécois,” he said.
Poilievre said the people of Tumbler Ridge were the “backbone of our nation” and had survived great hardship by leaning on each other.
“You fight your own battles, but you’re never, never far away from helping a neighbour in need,” he said.
“Some might call these ordinary people. But there is nothing ordinary about the people in this town. You are extraordinary.”
WATCH | Poilievre speaks at the Tumbler Ridge vigil:
Pierre Poilievre praises courage and resilience of Tumbler Ridge, B.C. residents.
At a vigil in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre thanked students, teachers, first responders and everyone who helped victims of a mass shooting in the community earlier this week.
Poilievre concluded by reciting the poem If Tomorrow Starts Without Me by David Romano, which reflects on bereavement.
Other speakers at the vigil included Simon, B.C. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia and B.C. Premier David Eby.
Eby shared a powerful tale of how a high school science class banded together as gunshots were heard all around them on Tuesday.
He talked about how older kids protected younger kids and tried to keep the mood light, and how a teacher administered first aid to a critically injured student.
WATCH | Premier shares tale of heroism:
B.C. premier shares tale of ‘heroic’ students banding together during school shooting
At a community vigil on Friday, days after a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, B.C. Premier David Eby shared the harrowing tale of how a science class helped each other and made quick decisions when they heard gunshots. He said their heroic actions were the seeds of how the community would recover from the tragedy.
“In those actions, in those heroic actions, are the seeds of the recovery of this community,” Eby said.
“The future of Tumbler Ridge is in that school, we know that.”
Mayor Krakowka concluded the vigil by asking everyone to step forward and light a candle in honour of the victims.
Candles are lit in “Tumbler Ridge Strong” cups at a Friday-night vigil for the victims of Tuesday’s mass shooting. (Eric Pankratz/CBC)
Shared grieving
Earlier in the day, having flown into Tumbler Ridge together, the federal leaders laid flowers at a growing memorial for the victims of one of Canada’s worst mass shootings.
Speaking to CBC’s Power and Politics, May told host David Cochrane that the prime minister had invited all the party leaders to travel to B.C. in the same plane, a gesture she appreciated.
WATCH | May speaks about the federal leaders’ visit to Tumbler Ridge:
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May on leaders’ visit to B.C. after Tumbler Ridge tragedy
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is among a group of delegates in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., grieving with the community after one of Canada’s deadliest school shootings took place in the small town on Tuesday.
“There was nothing but shared grieving and shared sense that there’s no other place for us to be but together,” the Saanich-Gulf Islands MP said.
“I think if every Canadian could be here, people would say, ‘Yeah, I’d like to be in Tumbler Ridge and comfort people.’ It’s just so unbearable.”
