The Premier of Quebec, François Legault, is due to visit the Sainte-Rose district in Laval late Thursday morning where a bus driver ran into a daycare center, killing two children and injuring six others.
Mr. Legault will notably be accompanied by the leaders of the opposition parties to offer support to families and daycare workers affected by Wednesday’s tragedy.
The minister responsible for the Laval region, Christopher Skeete, the mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer and the director of the Service de police de Laval (SPL), Pierre Brochet, will also accompany the premier.
Citizens of the Saint-Rose district gathered on the forecourt of the Sainte-Rose-de-Lima church on Wednesday evening, located a little further, to light candles and place flowers and stuffed animals, then trying to find some comfort in the face of this tragedy.
The flag of the Hôtel de Ville de Laval was at half-mast, in homage to the little victims and the flag of Quebec on the central tower of the National Assembly will be at half-mast all day Thursday, in memory of the young victims as well.
Pierre Ny St-Amand, 51, was arrested at the scene on Wednesday and faces two counts of premeditated murder as well as seven other counts including attempted murder and aggravated assault .
Medical officials said Wednesday that the lives of the six injured children, who were hospitalized, were not in danger.
The disaster has sparked an outpouring of support across the country, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying all Canadians are in mourning and promising the government will do everything it can to support families.