Prime Minister Mark Carney and other leaders spoke at a vigil in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., Friday evening, three days after nine people died in a mass shooting.
Carney delivered a powerful address to the crowd of hundreds, speaking about those who died or were injured in the tragedy. He took time to name and describe each of the six people killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Tuesday — five children aged 12 and 13, and an education assistant.
“You held each other as you’re holding each other right now. It’s what we do for each other,” the prime minister said.
“It’s what we receive. Open hearts when the world falls apart. Tumbler Ridge is full of grace this evening.”
Parties put aside their political differences and offered words of unity to the community, which is grappling with unimaginable loss.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke about the strength of the community.
“People of this incredible town, you are the backbone of our nation,” Poilievre said.
“As the PM said, you survived great hardship, wildfires, closing and reopening of coal mines. You fight your own battles, but you’re never far away from helping a neighbour in need. Some might call these ordinary people, but there’s nothing ordinary about this town.”
B.C. Premier David Eby shared a story about the actions taken by a teacher, Mark Deeley, to protect his students.
“Mr. Deeley knew what to do, because he and the teachers and students practiced for this, never imagining they would need those skills,” Eby said.
“He prepared a chair already to block the door. But there was a problem. His son had left to go to the washroom just before he heard the shots. And in that moment, he had to decide. He made the decision to lock and block the door to keep the children safe in his science class.”
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon was also in attendance.
Carney, who invited other federal party leaders to join him at the vigil, was invited by the town’s mayor, Darryl Krakowka.
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia encouraged all members of the community to support each other and said the entire country mourns along with them.
Police said 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar shot her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home in Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday before going to a school where she shot five students, all 12 or 13 years old, and an education assistant.
More than two dozen people were injured in the shooting, and B.C. Premier David Eby earlier said one of them, a 12-year-old girl named Maya Gebala, is “clinging to life in hospital.”
Carney and the other party leaders delivered statements in the House of Commons on Wednesday, pledging unity and their full support for the town and the families of the victims.
Editor’s note: a previous version of this story had a misspelling of Mark Deeley‘s last name.