Hon. Duncan Wilson: Honourable senators, it is with a heavy heart and immense sadness that I rise today to address the chamber. As we know, my own province woke up with collective grief today — a grief shared by all Canadians due to the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
Many details remain unknown, and many of these details may never be known. What we do know is that this tragedy has left nine British Columbians — nine Canadians — dead. It has left 25 individuals suffering with varying levels of injury. I would also — like my colleagues — like to express my thanks to the first responders who put themselves in the line of danger.
We know that yesterday’s events have left so many moms, dads, brothers, sisters, friends and extended family members facing the unthinkable: a hole in their family that will never be filled — a child, a parent, a loved one who will not be coming home.
Today, there is no healing to be done. That will come with time, the great healer of all hurts. But that time has not come today — not this time.
Gun violence in our communities and our places of learning has resulted in some of the deadliest events in Canadian history. This one has impacted children in a space that is intended to be safe and promote growth. It also stands as the deadliest attack connected to a school in nearly 40 years since the horrible and devastating events at the École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989 that left 14 women dead and 14 more people injured.
As we stand together today in mourning, the sentiment needed now more than ever is one of love, compassion and empathy, as well as love for our neighbours, compassion for our friends and colleagues — people who are dealing with this tragedy in their own unique and equally valid way — and empathy for strangers, communities and people we do not know and may never meet. We do this because we are Canadian. What I know and believe of Canadians is that for us: Love will always conquer hate. Empathy will always prevail over apathy. And compassion will always outlive indifference.
Today, we hurt. I hurt as a representative of British Columbia, and I hurt as a Canadian — the same as you.
But through our collective grief, let us hold Tumbler Ridge close. I implore that, particularly over what unfolds over the coming days and weeks, we remember to lead with love, demonstrate empathy and exercise compassion to one another and to all Canadians.
Thank you.