Federal flags lowered for seven days to honour victims of B.C. mass shooting

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered flags on all federal buildings and institutions to be flown at half-mast for seven days following a deadly mass shooting in northeastern British Columbia that left 10 people dead, including the suspect.

The attacks took place Tuesday in the small community of Tumbler Ridge. According to the RCMP, the suspect is believed to have first killed two people at a private residence before going to a local school, where several others were shot in what police have described as one of the most serious mass shootings in recent Canadian history. Investigators have said they are still working to determine a motive.

Speaking in Ottawa, Carney said he has received condolences from leaders around the world, including King Charles. Messages of sympathy have also come from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting the international attention the tragedy has drawn.

Members of Parliament on Parliament Hill expressed shock and sorrow as details of the attacks emerged. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Canadians to stand united in support of the victims’ families and the broader Tumbler Ridge community as it begins to grieve and recover.

Tumbler Ridge, a resource-based community in northeastern B.C., has a population of fewer than 3,000 residents. Incidents of this scale are rare in rural Canada, and the tragedy has prompted renewed conversations about community safety and support services in smaller municipalities across the province.