Edmonton Filipino community heartbroken, angry over Vancouver tragedy that killed 11

Edmonton's Filipino community is mourning those killed in the fatal Vancouver Filipino festival attack on April 27, 2025.

Edmonton’s Filipino community is grieving after at least 11 people were killed at a festival in Vancouver.

Melanie Angeles, the president of the Congress of the Philippine Associations of Alberta, told CTV News Edmonton on Sunday the emotions run from “heartbreak” to “anger” as the local community processes the scale of the tragedy.

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“We don’t understand why this would happen so close to home,” she said. “It’s not in Edmonton, but Vancouver is in our neighbouring province, and we’re just devastated and shocked at what’s going on right now.”

She said the association plans to meet to see what people here can do to help in the wake of Saturday’s events.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith offered condolences to the people affected by the Vancouver tragedy on Sunday, saying in a statement that Albertans “are heartbroken by this devastating loss of life and injuries reported.”

“Vancouver and its Filipino community are firmly in our thoughts and prayers,” Smith said.

“Filipino Canadians are kind, hard-working, and cherished members of our communities right across Canada. What happened last night at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver is truly incomprehensible.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti