The final day of the federal election campaign took on a sombre tone as the leaders reacted to the deaths of nine people at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver Saturday night.
Vancouver police said a driver of a black SUV slammed into a crowd just before 8 p.m. PT at the Lapu Lapu Day festival, which was celebrating the contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community.
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed Canadians Sunday morning, offering his condolences to the families of the nine victims. He said 20 people were injured in what police are calling a “car-ramming attack.”
“Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or daughter. Those families are living every family’s nightmare,” Carney said.
“I know that I join all Canadians in mourning with you. I know that Canadians are united with you.”
Carney offers ‘deepest condolences’ after Vancouver car ramming attack
The Liberal leader was scheduled to spend part of Sunday in British Columbia but his team said he’s delayed his campaign in light of the horrific events.
Carney said he was briefed overnight by the minister of public safety and the national security adviser, who believe there is “no active threat” to Canadians.
Members of the public held the suspect, a 30-year-old Vancouver man who was known to police, until officers arrived on the scene and took him into custody.
Carney thanked first responders and said local law enforcement and officials have the full support of the federal government. He said he will speak with B.C. Premier David Eby and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim in the coming hours.
The final day of an election campaign is usually a hectic sprint of events as the leaders try to build final momentum and get their message to undecided voters, but the grim incident in Vancouver was noted by all the leaders.
‘Senseless act of violence,’ says Poilievre of Vancouver car ramming attack
Carney had planned to do a cross-country blitz — going from Ontario to stops in Saskatchewan and Alberta before ending the day in Vancouver and Victoria. It’s unclear how he’ll proceed.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a rally in Oakville, Ont., planned for this morning, but first offered his condolences to congregants at a Filipino community church.
“I know many of you are shocked, heartbroken and saddened by this senseless act of violence and by the innocent and treasured lives that have been lost,” he said, holding hands with his wife Anaida Poilievre.
” All Canadians are united in solidarity with the Filipino community.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh had been at the festival and left just minutes before the incident happened.
The leader appeared visibly shaken when he spoke to reporters later, recounting the families he met.
“There were kids there, there were families there, they were so full of joy,” he said. “I don’t have the words to describe the pain I am feeling right now, the lives that are lost.”
Singh ‘heartbroken’ after Vancouver car ramming attack
Singh said the Filipino community should know it isn’t alone.
“We’re going to defend you, we’re going to protect you, we’re going to shelter you, we’re going to hold you,” he said. “This is so horrific.”
Singh is going ahead with a planned event in Penticton, B.C., Sunday morning but has cancelled all of his other campaign stops in wake of the attack.
Lapu Lapu Day celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century.
Millions of Canadians are expected to cast their ballots Monday in the general election.
