A tragic mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of nine people, including the shooter, and injuries to 27 more in the small north-eastern BC community of Tumbler Ridge cast a heartbreaking shadow on the opening of the BC Legislature today.
Instead of setting the government agenda for 2026, the brief speech delivered by Lt-Gov Wendy Cocchia focused on the unspeakable pain that families are facing and, on behalf of all British Columbia, expressed the collective sorrow of a province and country that shares in their grief.
“As a mother it is impossible to comprehend the pain and sorrow that you are suffering,” said Cocchia who embraced MLAs as she left the House following her address.
In a legislature often filled with rancour and partisanship, the agreement by the three major political parties to set aside their ideological differences to focus on being united in supporting families stricken by this horror is as unprecedented as it is appropriate.
The official mourning in the Legislature, which was also marked by a moment of silence at noon today, following a candlelight vigil just outside of the front steps of the BC Legislature on Wednesday night, one that mirrored a vigil held in Tumbler Ridge.
“This is a devastating and unimaginable tragedy. We can’t imagine what the community is going through. But I know it is causing all of us to hold our kids a little bit tighter tonight,” said Premier David Eby who travelled to Tumbler Ridge yesterday for the vigil there along with Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger, federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson.
Despite the profound sadness shared throughout British Columbia and the country, it is impossible to grasp the gravity of sending a child to school in the morning, only to have them not return home.
As Interim Opposition Leader Trevor Halford said, ”Yesterday, parents packed their kids’ lunches. Today, they’re making funeral arrangements. There’s no place for politics in this.”
On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Tumbler Ridge to attend a vigil there at the invitation of Mayor Darryl Krakowka. Also expected to attend are Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP interim Leader Don Davies and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
The Government of BC has published a resource page to help people who are struggling to cope with this mass shooting. It can be found here on the government website.
Our team at Counsel Public in British Columbia and across the country mourn the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge and send our deep condolences to the parents, siblings, relatives and friends who are facing this unspeakable loss. And, of course, we extend our gratitude to the many first responders and health care professionals who have gone above and beyond to protect and comfort those impacted by this tragedy.