By Chris Brown

Update from the PM

Trudeau to Nova Scotians: ‘The country stands with you and grieves with you’

Apr 20, 2020 | 9:48 AM

One day after one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canada’s history, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s daily address to Canadians was focused on Nova Scotia.

Trudeau told Nova Scotians “the country stands with you and grieves with you.”

“We are a country that stands united in our effort to defeat a pandemic, save lives and help each other make it to a better day. But yesterday, we were jolted from that common cause by the senseless violence and tragedy in Nova Scotia.”

Speaking outside Rideau Cottage, the prime minster said that even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders and health-care personnel did what they always do.

“Paramedics, doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters — they are always here for us. They’ve been stepping up through the pandemic and yesterday, in Nova Scotia, they showed that same bravery,” Trudeau says. “You ran towards danger, without pause, without hesitation.”

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Trudeau said a virtual vigil will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday through the Facebook group Colchester Supporting our Community.”

The prime minister asked the media to not use the shooter’s name or photo in coverage of the shooting and the investigation.

“Do not give him the gift of infamy,” he said.

Trudeau took questions on a few other matters on Monday, largely about the return of Parliament.

On Sunday, the opposition Conservatives insisted Parliament meet in-person three days a week for two hours.

The other parties agreed on a plan that would have seen some MPs to return to Ottawa on Wednesday for in-person accountability sessions of the House of Commons, so members can question the prime minister and government ministers.

Plans for the week after included a combination of virtual and in-person sittings.

Trudeau wouldn’t say much on the matter, saying he didn’t “want to get into arguments with anyone today” but is hopeful all parties will be able to come to an arrangement.

On gun control, the prime minister said the Liberals “were at the point where we would have introduced legislation to ban assault weapons in this country. We will bring forward those measures again.”

As of Monday morning, Canada had 35,383 confirmed cases, nine probable cases and 1,611 deaths. There have been 555,551 Canadians tested.

In Alberta, there are 2,803 cases and 55 deaths. A total of 97,180 Albertans have been tested.