A mournful silence was observed in the House of Commons on Wednesday as MPs expressed their grief and shock after A bus accident at a Montreal area daycare Due to which two children died and at least six others are hospitalized.
Members of Parliament stood in silence with their heads bowed as the usually raucous chamber fell silent for a minute and ten seconds.
Afterwards, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre stood with folded hands and began Question Hour in a muted voice, offering condolences to the families involved and asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for an update on the situation.
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“As a father, I can imagine the pain of the families that have been affected and we all extend our support and prayers to those families,” Poilievre said in French, asking Trudeau to show what the government was doing to the people of Quebec. What support will be given to deal with this tragedy.
Trudeau said all Canadians are thinking of the families affected in Laval.
“Our hearts go out to them, nothing can erase the pain and suffering these families and communities are going through right now,” Trudeau said, speaking in French.
“We will be there to support them in the days and months and years to come as they go through this unimaginable pain.”
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when a bus crashed in front of the Garderie Educational Ste-Rose daycare in Laval, just north of Montreal, killing two children and injuring at least six others.
The four injured preschool children were taken to Saint-Justine Pediatric Hospital in Montreal. Dr. Mark Girard, head of professional services, told reporters that two boys and two girls were conscious upon arrival at the hospital and were being evaluated. He said one child was in intensive care.
Police said a 51-year-old man who was driving the bus has been arrested. As of midday he was still being questioned, but police say he faces charges of murder and dangerous driving.
Trudeau thanked first responders who were called to the scene and offered help to those involved.
“We will continue to keep them close to our hearts and in our prayers,” Trudeau said during his remarks to the House of Commons.
Before Question Hour, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh called the incident a “terrible tragedy” and said he was at a loss for words to express his disappointment.
“I’m thinking of the families of the victims and acknowledge the work of first responders,” he said.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said he did not want to comment on details of the incident, adding that the situation demands compassion and empathy, especially for the families involved.
“Nothing is more precious to our hearts than our children,” he said in French.
Earlier in the day, Quebec Premier François Legault described the bus crash as “terrible” as details emerged.
“We are going to give the parents all the help that we are able to give,” he said. “Obviously as a father… I am shocked. I find it difficult. I can understand the pain they are going through right now.”
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