Prime Minister Mark Carney pays tribute at a makeshift memorial at the town hall, three days after one of the worst mass shootings in recent Canadian history, in the town of Tumbler Ridge on Friday.Jennifer Gauthier/Reuters
More than 1,000 people, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre, gathered around the Tumbler Ridge town hall on Friday evening to honour the victims of a mass shooting that rocked the small town in northern British Columbia earlier this week.
Mr. Carney and Mr. Poilievre, along with a cadre of other political leaders laid flowers at the growing memorial. Many of the colourful flower arrangements were wrapped in Valentine’s Day-themed cellophane next to stuffed animals, candles with lights flickering under the setting sun and photos of the victims.
In the crowd, residents embraced each other and spoke quietly about the Tuesday tragedy that left nine dead, including the shooter.
The vigil began with a rendition of O Canada before the gathering paused for a moment of silence.
In the crowd, the yellow reflection of tealights danced inside cups with the words “Tumbler Ridge Strong” printed on the sides.
Mr. Carney said there was nothing he could say to bring the children who were killed home.
“But I, the leader of the Opposition, the leader of all the federal parties, wanted you to hear — not from Ottawa, not through a screen — but standing here together in your home, we wanted you to hear that Canadians are with you and 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.”
The Prime Minister described Tumbler Ridge as a town where people have always stepped up to help one another, when wildfires threatened the area and during hard economic times.
“And when the unimaginable happened on Tuesday, you were there again. 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,” Mr. Carney said. “This is grace. It’s what we do for each other.”
Mr. Poilievre spoke following the Prime Minister’s remarks, naming each of the children killed in the shooting, describing how one was a popular, charming young man who was loved in school; another who dreamed of becoming an artist and another who was described by her family as strong.
“Each one of them had a story. Each one of them is special. Each one of them had dreams,” he said. “How can we assure that they live on in this world even after they’ve passed into the next? Through our memories of their incredible lives.”
Also at the vigil, wearing forest-green sweats, nine tweens with the Junior Canadian Rangers — a military program for youth in remote communities — lined the road holding photos of their former teammate, Ezekiel Schofield, and Maya Gebala, who’s recovering in a Vancouver hospital after being shot in the head and neck.