Moncton is still in mourning, but with a suspect in custody, the New Brunswick community can begin to return to normal, Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney told Question Period.
“Now, the city is breathing again. The city is coming back to life,” Blaney said. “I can tell you, from all parts of the country, we are behind the people of Moncton, supporting them.”
The safety minister applauded the efforts of the province’s RCMP, saying this week’s events remind us of the “important and critical role” law enforcement play in every city.
He said those who lost their lives wouldn’t be forgotten, nor would their families.
“Hundreds of people here are coming to lay flowers in a show of support,” Blaney said. “I can assure you we are taking care of those people, and the RCMP is already involved in this process -- though nobody can replace the loss of life.”
Blaney said it was too early to say whether there would be a follow-up investigation into RCMP procedure following concerns that two of the slain officers arrived at the scene without back-up.
An inquiry was launched after a similar 2005 incident in which four RCMP officers were killed in an ambush on a Mayerthorpe, Alta., farm.
“What I know is that the RCMP here is a class act. From management to officers on the ground, they’ve shown courage in a totally unexpected situation.”
Blaney said he wanted to give his gratitude to the “exemplary behavior” shown by the officers and emergency response teams.
“Today, for me, is a time, as a public safety minister, to thank those who make our country a safe place, and who are sometimes paying their lives to do so,” he said.
“Canada today is proud of the behaviour of all the officers involved in this tragedy.”
