Carney says Ottawa, B.C. to fund new Tumbler Ridge school, health centre

The federal and British Columbia governments are jointly pledging $100 million each to construct a new high school and modernize the health care center in Tumbler Ridge. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

This significant investment comes after a tragic mass shooting at the community's school in February, which resulted in the deaths of eight people. B.C. Premier David Eby had previously vowed that students would not have to return to the site of the tragedy.

Prime Minister Carney stated that he and Premier Eby visited Tumbler Ridge after the murders, hearing directly from students, parents, teachers, and first responders about the community's need for healing from the trauma. The work on the new school is scheduled to commence this summer, beginning with the removal of the existing structure.

Police identified the perpetrator as Jesse Van Rootselaar, who allegedly killed her mother and brother before proceeding to the school on February 10. There, she is reported to have killed five students and an educational assistant before taking her own life.

Carney made the announcement in Vancouver as part of a broader housing funding plan, which also includes measures to reduce fees for developers and convert unsold new condominiums into affordable housing units.

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he and the premier were in Tumbler Ridge after the murders of eight people and heard from students, parents, teachers and first responders about how to help heal from the trauma of the unspeakable tragedy.