By Lucy Campbell
‘The nation mourns with you,’ an emotional Carney tells victims’ families
As he arrived at Parliament Hill in Ottawa a short while ago, Mark Carney was visibly emotional as he told reporters it was a “very difficult day” for Tumbler Ridge and for the nation.
Parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you. Canada stands by you.
The Canadian prime minister thanked world leaders who had reached out to him in solidarity and compassion, including King Charles, who is Canada’s head of state.
The world is with you.
The PM reiterated that the federal public safety minister and British Columbia’s premier will be visiting the community today. He thanked the emergency services, teachers, staff and residents of Tumbler Ridge for all they were doing.
Carney said he had instructed that flags across all government buildings will be flown at half-mast for the next seven days.
He went on:
We will get through this. But right now it is a time to come together, like Canadians do in these terrible situations. To support each other, to mourn together and to grow together.
Mark Carney speaks to the media on Parliament Hill about the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. Photograph: Dave Chan/AFP/Getty Images