The B.C. legislature was far quieter than normal as the session opened in the wake of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, as the usual pomp and celebration that accompanies the delivery of the throne speech was cancelled in favour of a more sombre presentation.
Instead of the normal speech outlining the government’s legislative priorities scheduled for Thursday afternoon (Feb. 12), Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia dedicated abbreviated remarks to the people of Tumbler Ridge, who she said are “wrapped in the care and compassion of an entire province and a country that mourns alongside them.”
She also spoke about “unimaginable pain” being experienced by parents whose children died at the high school.
“As a mother, it’s absolutely impossible to comprehend the pain and sorrow that people are experiencing,” Cocchia said. “Nobody thinks for a moment that you will send your child or loved one off in the morning, and that they will not return.”
According to the latest updates from the RCMP and government officials, nine people were killed, and 27 were injured, including two people airlifted out of the area. Premier David Eby said one of those, a 12-year-old girl named Maya, was still “fighting for her life” in the hospital as of Wednesday evening.
Police have identified the suspect as 18-year-old Tumbler Ridge resident Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was found dead from what was described as self-inflicted wounds.
The next scheduled sitting day for the legislature is Tuesday, when the government is expected to deliver details of the annual budget. This will still proceed, although the planned question period on Tuesday morning will not.
Messages of unity
In a show of bipartisan unity, members from all three parties stood behind Premier David Eby in front of the legislature after Cocchia’s speech as he spoke about his visit to the community. Eby arrived back in Victoria shortly before the throne speech after an overnight visit to Tumbler Ridge.
“We couldn’t go on with business as normal, because this is not a normal day for British Columbia or for Canada,” he said.
Eby then shared a little about what he heard from community members, though he said individual stories are for those people to share.
“There were stories of students protecting other students. There were stories of teachers pulling the injured out of the hall to perform CPR,” he said. “There were stories of first responders going in under gunfire to look after kids, and stories of the volunteer fire department showing up to see and to pitch in on what can only be described as a horrific scene.”
Preaching unity, Eby thanked those from other parties who showed up to stand behind him, saying it is important as a symbol to stand together for the families and community members of Tumbler Ridge.
B.C. Conservative leader Trevor Halford spoke to reporters afterwards alongside several of his party’s MLAs, saying it is time to put politics aside.
He said there are lingering questions, particularly about mental health supports in the province, but now is the time to learn about the victims and support the community.
“There’ll be time for those questions,” he said.
After the Lapu Lapu car-ramming attack on April 26, this is the second mass casualty event in B.C. within one year, each perpetrated by a lone individual.
Halford, Conservative house leader Á’a:líya Warbus and Conservative Mental Health Critic Claire Rattée are heading to Tumbler Ridge on Friday, as is Prime Minister Mark Carney and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
In wake of the Tumbler Ridge shooting, many support services are available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Vancouver Island Crisis Line Network: 1-888-494-3888; Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988; KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717; Métis Crisis Line: 1-833-638-4722; Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868.