B.C. throne speech cancelled because of Tumbler Ridge shooting
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VICTORIA – The three official parties in British Columbia’s provincial legislature have announced the cancellation of Thursday’s throne speech because of the mass shooting that claimed nine lives in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Interim B.C. Conservative leader Trevor Halford said it was time to put politics aside.
“Yesterday, parents packed their kids’ lunch,” he said. “Today, they are making funeral arrangements. There is no place for politics in any of this.”
Halford said the focus in the coming days should be on the people of Tumbler Ridge. “Those kids, those people of Tumbler Ridge are the absolute priority.”
A joint statement from the three party house leaders in the legislature said the speech is being cancelled in recognition of the “horrific shooting and tragic loss of life” in the community in northeastern British Columbia.
Government house leader Mike Farnworth, the opposition’s A’aliya Warbus and Rob Botterell of the B.C. Greens say lieutenant-governor Wendy Cocchia will instead a deliver a speech dedicated to the people of Tumbler Ridge followed by brief legally required procedures.
Their statement also says legislators will stand for a moment of silence in honour of the victims, their families and the entire community.
It says Thursday will be declared a day of mourning in British Columbia.
The throne speech historically marks the start of a new session, with the provincial budget soon to follow, but Halford does not expect a traditional session.
“I think it is going to be a really fluid situation,” he said. “The mood of this building has changed dramatically, since we all started to see the alerts, and I want to be really respectful of that, and how that process plays out.”
Conservative Larry Neufeld, who represents Tumbler Ridge as MLA for Peace-River South, is in the community, and the rest of the opposition caucus is focused on supporting him in any way they could, Halford said.
“He is really standing tall for his community right now, and we are standing with him,” Halford said.
The three house leaders say British Columbians are mourning, but are also united and will support for community members in the days ahead.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2026.