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 twenty-five 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’s 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, neighbours helped each other pack up and move out of harm’s way. They checked in on seniors and those living alone. They made that sure 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.

Mr. Speaker, Tumbler Ridge represents the very best of Canada – resilient, compassionate, and strong.

Yesterday morning, parents in Tumbler Ridge sent their kids to school. Some will never be able to hold them in their arms again. Young people and their teachers have witnessed unspeakable cruelty.

I want every one of them to know this: the country stands with you with all our hearts.

On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my prayers to the victims, their families, their friends, the injured, and all those whose lives were changed forever yesterday. 

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 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 – École Polytechnique in Montréal; the Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec 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 and 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.

A few moments ago, Mr. Speaker, we held a moment of silence for the grieving families and a community in mourning.

For many of them, today, it is a heavy silence.

We will never be able to fully come to terms with the senseless violence that shattered Tumbler Ridge yesterday.

But we can find comfort in each other. We can take care of one another. 

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, and every resident 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.