N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson and leadership across the country are offering condolences following the tragic loss of eleven people, including children, at the Vancouver Filipino festival on Saturday.
“The heartbreaking news from Vancouver has left many of us in the Northwest Territories shaken and grieving. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who were injured, and all those whose lives have been forever changed by this senseless act,” said Premier Simpson.
On Saturday evening, a man drove into a large crowd of people at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street.
Vancouver police report that eleven people, aged 5 to 65, were killed, and more than two dozen others injured. Some of the victims in Saturday’s mass-casualty incident have yet to be identified.
A 30-year-old Vancouver man was arrested at the scene by Vancouver Police after bystanders and witnesses intervened to detain him.
N.W.T. is home to many members of the Filipino community and Simpson extended his deepest condolences to everyone affected by the tragic events .
“The Filipino community here in the NWT is a vibrant and valued part of life in our territory, and their contributions enrich every corner of the North. Today, we stand with them, with Filipino Canadians across the country, and with all those mourning this tragedy—in grief, in solidarity, and in support,” he said in an announcement Sunday evening.
“On behalf of all Northerners, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, and the Filipino community across Canada. Our hearts are with you during this painful time,” said Simpson.
Jagmeet Singh had attended the festival shortly before the incident occurred. He appeared in public today to offer his deepest condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
“Last night, horror struck in a place filled with joy. I was at the Lapu Lapu celebration just before the attack happened, I saw families gathered together. I saw children dancing. I saw pride in culture and history, in community. It’s heartbreaking to think that such joy can be torn apart so violently, so suddenly. Together today, We Gather to mourn for lives lost, for families shattered. For a community wounded so deeply. We do not know yet all the details about what happened, but we do know this. When hate is left unchecked it spreads like a flame. It feeds on fear. It grows in silence. And it leaves devastation in its path. Now is the time for Canada to wrap its arms around the Filipino community. We cannot imagine the depth of your grief. But know this, you do not grieve alone. We are with you in mourning, in solidarity and in resolve. Of course, people deserve to be safe and public security, public safety is fundamental, and we need to do everything possible to look at ways to keep community safer, but to build a better community, we only do that when we lift each other up,” he said.
Singh became overwhelmed by emotion as he spoke.
“I keep on thinking about the kids that I met, the joy. I was there literally minutes before this happened. I can’t stop thinking about how much happiness was there, how much it was a family event. People were so positive and so joyful and to have such a horrific thing happen, I keep on replaying it,” said Singh.
Leaders across the country joined Singh in mourning the devastating loss deeply impacting the Filipino community and people across Canada.
“Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter,” Mark Carney told reporters in Hamilton, Ontario. “Those families are living every family’s nightmare.”
Offering support and condolences to Filipino Canadians, Carney said: “I join all Canadians in mourning with you. I know Canadians are united with you.”
Pierre Poilivere offered condolences and paid his respects to the community, attending a Filipino church in Toronto.
