Things got underway with a moment of silence in the Chamber at the start of proceedings, late as it always is on Wednesdays, and from there, things resolved to the day’s abbreviated proceedings.
Prime minister Mark Carney, surrounded by his BC MPs in the camera shot, spoke about the nation being in shock, and nine people killed, with 25 others injured. There was no speculating, but rather an admonishment that they must allow law enforcement the time and space to do their work. He spoke about Tumbler Ridge, a community of just 2400 people, founded in the 1980s in the promise of the resource economy. He spoke of the first responders, and the RCMP who entered the school immediately, and of the teachers and staff who saved lives. Carney said that he had spoken to David Eby, that minister Gary Anandasangaree is on his way to the community, along with Gregor Robertson, as he coordinates the federal response, and noted that the local MP, Bob Zimmer, was already on the scene. He raised past mass shootings in the country (and we are fortunate that it’s within the single digits and not a constant occurrence like in the U.S.), before saying that we must seek comfort from one another, and that the House mourns with them.
Pierre Poilievre followed, who had a few of his own BC MPs in the camera shot, but they were more spread out. He spoke about being a father and knowing the feeling of sending kids to school and expecting them to come home at night. He recounted how he got a call from Zimmer last night, and that it sounded like it was going to be bad. He kept up with the theme of being a father and only being able to imagine the fear and panic of the affected parents, and said that there are no words of comfort or verses that can console, and to only say that we are with you. He thanked the first responders and teachers, and said that this was now for the pastors and priests, or mental health professionals who have to take over now. Poilievre declared that there is no partisanship on this day, and echoed that they would make all of the facts known in due time before closing on a psalm.
Yves-François Blanchet started out in French, speaking of their thoughts being with the victims of this “senseless violence,” and then switched to English so that he could speak directly to the community, but only briefly. (This was the only time he has ever spoken English in the Chamber). He returned to French for the remainder of the speech, offering solidarity with the first responders and the families in the midst of this ultimate cruelty and injustice. He also noted that for such a small community, the entire village has lost its children, and thanked the police, those headed to the community to support them now, and those who would remain afterward. He pledged the full cooperation of the Bloc, and said that Quebeckers have never been closer than today, as this was a reminder of École Polytechnique and that tragedy. He closed by also mentioning another tragedy from Kitigan Zibi, where there were to other children who died at the hands of their father before he took his own life.
Don Davies rose, his two fellow BC MPs around him, and spoke of the nation in mourning, of loved ones stolen, families shattered, and a small town changed forever. “No words can fill the void, but I hope you feel the embrace of a nation that stands with you in your grief.” Davies expressed gratitude to the educators who first faced the assault, the first responders, and the health care providers, and said that a community’s strength is revealed in tragedy. He closed by saying that today is a day to cherish the victims and care for their families, collectively grieve, comfort, hold each other just a little more tightly.
Elizabeth May rose briefly, her voice breaking, and thanked the previous speakers and sent her love to Zimmer in the community, before noting that comfort may feel far away right now.
The Speaker finished off with a brief statement of condolences of his own, and noted that a condolence book set up outside of the Chamber, to be brought the community by Zimmer next week.
Throughout the speeches, pages circulated the rows of desks with boxes of Kleenex for any MPs who might need them, which was a thoughtful gesture throughout such a tough day. When the speeches concluded, There were hugs and handshakes between MPs across the Chamber, and a long line for those to thank Poilievre, though Carney had disappeared fairly quickly. There were also plenty of people coming to hug Nathalie Provost, survivor of École Polytechnique, with a few others to talk to Buckley Belanger, in whose riding the previous school shooting at Laloche, Saskatchewan, happened.