OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney briefly paused his election campaign on Sunday to express condolences to victims and their families hours after a vehicle attack in Vancouver killed nine people and injured many more.
“Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter. Those families are living every family’s worst nightmare,” Carney said of the Saturday evening attack during a stop in Hamilton.
“I know that I join all Canadians in mourning with you. I know that Canadians are united with you.”
Carney said he has been briefed by Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and his national security adviser and will meet with British Columbia Premier David Eby and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim later today.
McGuinty also has spoken with B.C. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg.
Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said a 30-year-old local man was arrested after an SUV plowed through a crowded South Vancouver street at high speed on Saturday, leaving a trail of wreckage and victims on the ground.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was due to host multiple rallies across Ontario on Sunday. He met with members of the Filipino community at a church in Mississauga, Ont., in the morning before making a statement.
“I just wanted you all to know that our hearts are with you today. All Canadians are united in solidarity with the Filipino community,” Poilievre said.
“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.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh attended the Vancouver festival Saturday night and left just minutes before the attack. He later told reporters he didn’t have the words to describe the tragedy.
“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,” he said.
“I just want the Filipino community to know we stand with you. Everyone is with you, everyone is standing with you.”
Carney was supposed to meet with supporters in Hamilton at 8 a.m. but the event was cancelled. He instead held a 10 a.m. news conference before heading for a campaign event in Saskatoon.
Carney was set to travel to Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria following the Saskatchewan event, but those plans may change in the wake of the attack.
Singh had multiple campaign stops planned for Penticton, Vancouver, New Westminster and Coquitlam in B.C. He was also expected to visit the Vaisakhi parade in Oliver, B.C. to celebrate the Sikh holiday.
It’s not immediately clear if Singh’s schedule will change due to the attack in Vancouver.
Recent polls show the Liberals are leading in the race but remain in a head-to-head battle with the Conservatives. Voters head to the polls on Monday.
— With files from Michel Saba in Hamilton
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2025.
The Canadian Press
