Drama in Laval | The political class “extremely upset”

(Québec et Montréal) Le ministre de la Sécurité publique, François Bonnardel, la ministre de la Famille, Suzanne Roy, et le député de la circonscription de Sainte-Rose, Christopher Skeete, ont quitté le Parlement de Québec mercredi en direction de Laval, où un autobus a foncé sur une garderie, faisant au moins cinq blessés. « Bouleversé », le maire de Laval s’est aussi rendu sur place, en promettant d’aider autant que possible.

« [On va] coordinate the work with the City, with the police, with Health too. We are going to offer parents all the help we are able to give them, ”said Premier François Legault in the morning.

Visibly shaken, Mr. Legault said that “as a father, I am shaken and I find it hard. I can understand the angst [que les parents] currently live. My thoughts are truly with the children, the parents and the employees” of the daycare. For the moment, the government does not have information on the circumstances of the tragedy.

The Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, affirmed that “the security perimeter is in place”. “It’s terrible as a tragedy,” he said.

“We are with the parents. We think of the children who are in daycare. We leave our children safely at the daycare. We are extremely upset by the event. We will offer the necessary services, whether to educators or parents, and we are wholeheartedly with the families,” added Suzanne Roy.

“Laval will be there for you”

Saying he was deeply “upset”, the mayor of Laval Stéphane Boyer confirmed that he will go there at the end of the morning to meet the affected families.

In a statement, the elected official promised to offer all the necessary support to parents and employees “in these difficult times”. “The investigation continues to understand this tragic series of events. […] Laval is wholeheartedly with you, and will be there for you,” he insisted.

“It is with consternation that we learn the details of the terrible incident that occurred in Laval this morning. I am heartbroken to think of the toddlers, their families and the educators who are going through a horrible ordeal. Light must be shed on this tragedy. Courage, ”said the mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, on her Twitter account.

For its part, the Société de transport de Laval (STL) claims to be “devastated by the tragedy”. “Our hearts go out to the families and employees affected by this tragedy. We are actively collaborating in the ongoing investigation, led by the Service de police de la Ville de Laval”, detailed the organization’s spokesperson, Estelle Lacroix, adding that no interview will be granted on the subject for the moment.

The company’s drivers union, affiliated with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), is also expected to comment on the case, which involves one of its members.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “devastated” by the tragedy. “We hope everyone is okay. We are monitoring the situation closely, but I cannot imagine what these parents are going through right now, ”he said in a press scrum on the sidelines of his weekly caucus meeting. “As the federal government, we will be there if we can help, but I know that all the authorities and the first responders are doing their job,” added Mr. Trudeau.

With Melanie Marquis