Canada mourns victims of deadliest mass murder

“If the last month seems like a bad dream, today is a nightmare. This is horrific beyond belief,” tweeted Halifax Mayor Mike Savage.

As the country is left reeling from the largest mass shooting in Canadian history this weekend, Canadians are sending their condolences to Nova Scotia and expressing collective grief on social media.

The devastating loss of life will not soon be forgotten by people in Portapique, and Canadians right across the country, wrote Bill Blair, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, himself a former Chief of Police. "As families mourn and search for answers, our hearts are broken alongside theirs. We grieve with them."

For many in New Brunswick, the event brings back memories of the 2014 shooting of five Mounties in Moncton, three fatally. Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre told the Times  Transcript that was the case for him and like that day he is finding himself looking to make sense of a similarly senseless act of violence. "We will have to let the investigation take its course and hopefully explain the unexplainable,” he said.

Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold wrote, "On behalf of the City of Moncton, we extend our deepest condolences to all of those who lost a loved one, a friend, from this unimaginable situation. In this moment of grief, you are not alone."

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs used his time during his daily COVID-19 briefing on Monday to address the weekend's events. "Our hearts are with the people of Nova Scotia today as we all try to process the tragic events of this past weekend that left so many families grieving and others injured from a senseless act of violence," he said. "Many of you have loved ones in the province. We are much more than neighbours. And today and in the days to come, we grieve with all Nova Scotians"

Higgs said he has spoken to Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil to offer assistance, and said RCMP from New Brunswick are already supporting their colleagues in Nova Scotia. Flags at New Brunswick's legislature are also flying at half-mast.

For others, the event feels close to home while they aren’t close to home.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson acknowledged this experience, tweeting, “My heart breaks as we hear more details come out of the senseless deaths of Nova Scotians today. I know many in our city consider the province their home. Our condolences go out to those affected. Edmonton stands with you. #NovaScotiaStrong”

And for police forces across the country, they have lost a member of their policing family with the death of Cst. Heidi Stevenson.

Many police officers and forces have been sharing one of two photos of Stevenson. In one, she is smiling while crossing the street holding hands with a crowd of children. Others are sharing an image of a Mountie on horseback next to a flag at half-mast that has circulated following other deaths in the line of duty. There is also an image of a blue and black ribbon with condolences, sometimes including “#HeroesinLife”.

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique wrote, “On behalf of the OPP, our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the multiple victims including Cst. Heidi Stevenson in #Portapique. Our thoughts are with @RCMPNS, the injured officer and the grieving community. #HeroesInLife”

While Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders wrote, “On Behalf of the @TorontoPolice, I extend our deepest condolences to our colleagues @rcmpgrcpolice for the line of duty death of Cst. Heidi Stevenson, to her family and the community in Nova Scotia. Our thoughts are with you all and with the injured officer.”

On Monday, the Nova Scotia RCMP said in a statement that a condolences email has been set up and messages will be passed along to Stevenson's family at [email protected].

Collective grief and condolences continue to be expressed publicly from officials and all Canadians. For many from Nova Scotia, they will not be able to share in their grief in person right now due to COVID-19. But many are sharing images to illustrate where their heart lies at this time.

One pilot of a small airplane flew over the province making the shape of a heart. The pilot's flight path was tracked on flight radar and many across the country, moved by the gesture, have been sharing the flight radar image online. In another image, the map of Nova Scotia with a heart is being shared.

The flag on the Peace Tower in Ottawa will be flown at half-mast in memory of the victims.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote, “To those who lost loved ones following the senseless violence in Nova Scotia, and to the @RCMPNS family mourning the loss of Cst. Heidi Stevenson, know Canadians across the country are mourning with you - and are here to support you through this tragedy.”

#NovaScotiaStrong continued to trend across Canada into Monday with other hashtags related to the tragedy also trending.