Wednesday February 11, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC]
Parents and families are waking to a new reality this morning, said Prime Minister Mark Carney in his remarks about the shooting at the secondary school in Tumbler Ridge yesterday.
The February 10 shotting left nine students dead and 25 injured — one with serious life-threatening injuries who is now in hospital in Vancouver. The shooter was an 18-year-old female and many of the victims were just 12 and 13 years old.
Carney acknowledged the RCMP, paramedics, the local health centre, teachers and school staff for their heroic actions. “In the darkest of moments they showed the best of our country,” said Carney in the House of Commons today.
The prime minister had spoken with BC Premier David Eby last night. The federal minister of public safety, Gary Anandasangaree, has been coordinating the federal response, and today is on route with Premier Eby and the federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Gregor Robertson (MP for Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby). BC Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger is also accompanying the Premier to Tumbler Ridge today (both Eby and Krieger addressed media from Vancouver last night).
“MP Bob Zimmer is already there,” said Carney, about the Conservative Member of Parliament for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, in his whose riding Tumbler Ridge is a small but industrious community in the Peace River region.
Carney had also released a statement on Feburary 10 as the Tumbler Ridge details had begun to unfold.
Similiar tragedies in Canada:
“We have been here before,” said Carney, reminding Canadians today about the shootings at Ecole Poltyehcnie in Montreal and LaLoche Saskatchewan, the Humboldt bus crash, and the mass shooting in PortaPique Nova Scotia. “Each time it breaks us open,” said Mark Carney, prime minister.
“May the memories of those lost be a blessing,” said Carney in his relatively short remarks. The House followed with a standing ovation for the remarks and for the moment it represents.
Tributes only for the House today:
The House devoted its time to tributes today, with regular business suspended.
Conservative leader’s remarks:
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre opened his remarks with stating the obvious: Nine lives were stolen, 25 injured, that nine families are devastated and an entire community is in grief.
Poilievre said that MP Zimmer called him yesterday to say the news of a shooting was coming, that he didn’t have all the details but that it was bad.
“Each life is its own universe,” said Poilievre, quoting a rabbi.
“The whole nation wraps its arm around you,” said Poilievre. He commended police, paramedics, and firefighter personnel for responding. “All of use owe you a permanent debt of gratitude.”
Mental health professionals now have the “daunting task” to now “bind up the wounds”, said Poilievre. And emergency first responders will be carrying out further work on behalf of the community.
Bloc Québécois remarks:
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the thoughts of the Bloc “are with the victims of this nameless, senseless violence”.
Blanchet spoke “directly to the families and people in BC who have not had the chance to learn French”. delivering some of his remarks in English.
“The parents are living through the ultimate cruelty and injustice – that nothing can prepare one for, and changes one’s life forever,having one’s child torn away,” said Blanchet.
“The victims will inevitably be known to them… an entire village has lost its children,” said Blacnhet, in the context of such a small town with a population of about 2,400.
“The government can count on the Bloc’s full cooperation if there is anything it needs to support those in mourning,” said Blanchet, where Quebec remembers all too well the tragedy of the Montreal Massacre in 1989 (14 women shot dead at Polytechnique Montréal / L’École Polytechnique) which remains indelible for so many across the country.
NDP remarks:
“Nine innocent lives were sensely taken and 25 people were injured in a horrific mass shooting,” said NDP Leader Don Davies in the opening of his remarks in the House today. “This violence unfolded at a school – a place meant to nurture and protect our children.”
“Loved ones have been stolen, families have been shattered. A small community will be changed forever,” said Davies, who is a BC MP (Vancouver Kingsway).
“We hope you can feel the grief of a nation that stands with you,” said Davies.
The light that they brought into this world and potential they could give can never be replaced, Davies articulated.
“Students, friends and teachers suffered this assault,” said Davies. He recognized the “humanity and professionalism” of those on site, in the face of trauma.
Questions about why these things matter and why they happen in our country should be addressed in the days ahead after the immediacy of this crisis has passed, Davies outlined.
“In times like these, the strength of a community is truly revealed,” Davies concluded.
Green Leader:
The one Green MP in the House of Cmmons, Elizabeth May (MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands) thanked Prime Minister Carney for his “wise and moving words”, and thanked Conservative LEader Poilievre “for saying what is hard to say aloud”, as in articulating what the parents and community are going through.
She thanked the Bloc leader for making remarks about being united, and the NDP leader for his remarks.
May made special note about Bob Zimmer, MP, who will now carry the burden of representing a riding where so much grief will be unfolding for a long time. “Everyone knows everyone. The Member of Parliament knows everyone,” said May about Zimmer’s activity in his northern BC riding.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” said May, with compassion.
House Speaker:
“We are united and stand with you. We will walk with you on your long journey of grief.,” said House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia to wrap up the short parliamentary session today.
Book of Condolence:
Book of Condelences will be available at the House of Commons until Tuesday February 17 (tba if there is an online version).
Flags were lowered to half mast last night, and remain as such through Feburary 17.
BC also shifting to Tribute:
The BC government has cancelled the previous composition of its throne speech that is scheduled for tomorrow, February 12.
Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia will deliver a speech honouring the people of Tumbler Ridge instead of the government agenda.
There will also be a moment of silence among members of the BC Legislative Assembly BC legislature.
A day of mourning in memory of Tumbler Ridge will be declared.
===== RELATED:
- BC Premier Eby on the Tumbler Ridge shooting (February 10, 2026)
- Prime Minister Carney’s statement on the shooting in Tumbler Ridge (February 10, 2026)
- Ten dead in Tumbler Ridge shooting incident (February 10, 2026)
- Tumbler Ridge elementary & secondary schools on active shooter lockdown (February 10, 2026)
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