The federal and British Columbia governments are following through on a promise to help the community of Tumbler Ridge rebuild by pledging $100 million each for the community to build a new school. The current school was the scene of one Canada’s deadliest mass shootings. “A new school for bright kids to learn, grow, and dream. Better facilities for the incredible health-care workers who support those in need,” Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Vancouver. Construction is expected to begin this summer once the existing school is removed. Last month, the local school district for Tumbler Ridge announced plans to remove the school following a consultation process with the community. In a letter to families sent on Feb. 13, the Peach River South superintendent of schools wrote that her expectation was that students would not be returning to the secondary school where the tragedy took place. Back in February, 18-year-old former student Jesse Van Rootselaar killed five young students and a teachers’ aide in a shooting spree before taking her own life. She also shot and killed her mother and sibling at their home prior to the school shooting. The murders shocked the small community of about 2,400 residents and saw an outpouring of grief from across the country and the entire world. The provincial and federal money is expected to also help modernize the health-care centre in the community of Tumbler Ridge. Looking back at the time he and Eby spent in the community in February, Carney talked about the importance of helping the community. “We heard directly from students, parents, teachers, first responders and neighbours about ways to help the healing from the trauma, the loss, and the grief of that unspeakable tragedy,” Carney said.
