STARS lands in La Loche. Still frame of video courtesy Facebook.
While details are still pouring in on a traumatic school shooting in La Loche that has killed at least one person, leaders across Canada are responding.
“My heart is breaking for the people of La Loche, Saskatchewan today,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday afternoon. “We all grieve with and stand with the community of La Loche and all of Saskatchewan on this terrible, tragic day.”
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Bobby Cameron said he is in shock in the wake of the news.
“Our prayers and our condolences to the community to the family, to the community. This doesn’t affect them, it affects us all her in Saskatchewan and across Canada. I’m sure they don’t want these types of tragedies to occur anywhere, whether it’s First nation or non-First Nation,” Cameron said.
The FSIN says it will help out the community of La Loche come to terms with the shooting however they can.
Local MLA Buckley Belanger has been in southern Saskatchewan this week but was headed to up north when he was contacted on Friday afternoon.
During the drive he spoke about how this is hitting him, saying now is a time for prayer.
“The school, as I’ve said to numerous places, has always been a beacon of hope. The staff there have done a tremendous amount of good work with the students and the parents have built a very solid place of supports for the school,” Belanger said.
The acting mayor of La Loche issued a statement on Friday:
Premier Brad Wall also released a statement. Here it is in full:
“Words cannot express my shock and sorrow at the horrific events today in La Loche. My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims, their families and friends and all the people of the community.
Thank you to the RCMP and all the emergency personnel who responded quickly to the shootings. Saskatchewan Education and Social Services will be available to provide all necessary crisis support and counselling services to the school and the community.”
Former La Loche Mayor, and current Member of Parliament Georgina Jolibois also released a statement:
“As the former mayor of La Loche, I am shocked and saddened by the shooting in the Dene Building at the La Loche Community School in my riding. The shooting hits close to home for me as my family members attend the school.
The community of La Loche is strong and closely knit. We have faced adversity in the past and we will persevere.
My thoughts and prayers are with all students, staff and families affected as we begin on the path of healing as a community.”
On Twitter, Saskatchewan NDP leader Cam Broten wrote:
“Shocked and saddened by news of a school shooting in La Loche. My thoughts are with all students, staff and families affected.”