OTTAWA, Canada — The “darkest day” in Vancouver’s history muted Canadian politicians’ plans for a final surge ahead of the Monday election as all major parties expressed condolences to the victims of the recent massacre.
A man crashed his SUV through a Filipino street festival on Saturday night, killing at least 11 people during the Lapu Lapu Day celebration.
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh made a campaign stop at the festival on Saturday, leaving just minutes before the violence unfolded. He attended a mass at St. Mary’s Parish in Vancouver on Sunday to mourn with those affected by the attack.
“I was there and I just imagine the faces of the kids that I saw smiling, dancing. I imagine the aunties that were there. I don’t even know what to say. It’s just horrific. I’m heartbroken,” Singh told reporters.
He continued, “I just want the Filipino community to know we stand with you. Everyone is with you, everyone is standing with you.”
British Columbia Prosecution Service is charging Kai-Ji Adam Lo, a 30-year-old man, with eight counts of second-degree murder in relation to the incident.
He was detained by bystanders at the festival after the bloodshed and turned over to officers after first responders arrived. In videos shared from the festival, Lo appears disoriented and confused.
Officials say that mental health problems seem to be at the root of Lo’s actions, citing a “significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health.”
“There are many unanswered questions about this horrific crime, the motive of the person who did it, and whether anything could have been done to prevent it,” said Vancouver Police’s interim chief constable, Steve Rai, who called Saturday the city’s “darkest day.”
“There are many things we still don’t know,” he continued. “We are working hard to get all of the answers.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney canceled rallies slated for early Sunday in Calgary, Alberta, and Richmond, B.C., to address the nation and the Filipino-Canadian community specifically.
“Our hearts go to the friends and the families of those affected,” Carney said at a meeting with supporters. “It’s a terrible loss in a very tight-knit community, the Filipino community in the Lower Mainland, the Filipino community here in Saskatoon, the 1-million-strong Filipino community across Canada, and in fact, all Canadians.”
The prime minister proceeded with multiple campaign events later in the day. He will make appearances in Edmonton and Greater Victoria with intentions to also stop in Vancouver later in the day.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met Sunday with Filipino-Canadians at a Mississauga, Ontario church, where he expressed his condolences.
“I just wanted you all to know that our hearts are with you today. All Canadians are united in solidarity with the Filipino community,” the Conservative leader said in a statement. “Their loved ones — their brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, mothers and fathers — all of them will have a deep hole in their hearts today. So we will try to fill it with the love of the entire country.”
Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet spoke about the incident after arriving to his party’s Quebec-Centre riding headquarters.
He offered “sincere, heartfelt condolences to the people of British Columbia, members of families and friends of those who died, and also to the colleagues which were far too close to this drama.”
Asked if he would change his schedule due to the tragedy, the Quebec-focused politician said he would not because he doesn’t want to “pretend to represent” those voters outside the Francophone province.
King Charles III released a statement via the Governor General’s Office on Sunday expressing grief over the attack.
“Both my wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful attack and utterly tragic loss of life in Vancouver, which took place as the Filipino community came together to mark the celebration of one of their most special festivals,” the King of Canada wrote.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy and we send our deepest possible sympathy at a most agonizing time for so many in Canada,” he added, signing the statement as “Charles R.”
Victims of the attack range in age from 5 years old to 65. Authorities say the death toll could rise in the coming days and some victims remain unidentified.
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