House of Commons pauses for moment of silence for La Loche victims
With heads bowed, MPs stood in the House of Commons on Monday for a moment of silence in memory of the victims of last week's deadly shooting in La Loche, Sask.
As Commons business resumed for the first time this year, the Liberal government promised to provide more help to deal with the mental health needs of isolated communities.
Members from all sides of the aisle spoke of the tragedy and loss that still echoes from the tragedy, in which four people were killed and seven others wounded in the remote northern town, populated predominantly by First Nations members.
"The entire government and, indeed, the country, stands with the community of La Loche," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the community, to the family members and we offer all our support."
Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose described being left "heartbroken" by the violence.
Parliament must take action, because all too often the young people feel left alone- NDP MP Charlie Angus
"For the families and loved ones of those killed, few of us can even imagine the pain, but we grieve alongside you," she told a news conference. "We offer our prayers for those who are injured for a fast and full recovery."
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair described the sense of shock left by the tragedy, and made particular mention of rookie MP Georgina Jolibois, the community's former four-term mayor who now represents the sprawling northern Saskatchewan riding.
"We send out deepest condolences to the families of the victims, our thanks to the first responders for their quick action and our love to the community that continues to suffer this terrible loss," Mulcair said.
Focus on mental health needs
Health Minister Jane Philpott promised more support for the community, particularly for its mental health needs.
"The matter of mental health needs in First Nations ... and other indigenous communities is a pressing matter that I will pay full attention to," she said.
New Democrat Charlie Angus demanded action from the minister, saying "condolences are not enough" and that the federal government too often ignores mental health needs in isolated northern communities.
"Parliament must take action, because all too often the young people feel left alone," he said.
"Her department routinely rejects requests for counselling services, for mental health for indigenous youth. What steps will she take to guarantee that that practice will end ... not just in the days and weeks ahead but in the years to come?"
Philpott said she was with Angus.
"I absolutely agree with the member that, up until now, there have been absolutely inadequate resources and serious gaps in terms of the health outcomes and the opportunities that First Nations children and Inuit children have to access these resources," she said.
"We will do everything our power to be able to make some changes in that area and I will work in the months and years to come to make it so."
