VICTORIA, B.C.: Critic for Mental Health, Addictions, and Housing Supports Claire Rattée and MLA for Peace River South Larry Neufeld welcome the announcement of Coroner’s Inquest into Tumbler Ridge. However, they are reaffirming their call for a full public inquiry, under B.C.’s Public Inquiry Act.

Premier Eby committed to using all tools available to get as much information as possible so that what happened in Tumbler Ridge doesn’t happen again.

“We welcome the announcement of a coroner’s inquest, but it does not prevent the need for a public inquiry,” said Claire Rattée. “A public inquiry can establish facts, identify failures, and deliver recommendations that will affect change.”

“There are many questions that must be answered. For example, why was the perpetrator released from psychiatric care? Why were firearms returned to his home? A coroner’s inquest can examine the circumstances of the death, but a public inquiry is needed to fully examine the broader systemic and policy failures that may have contributed.”

“Families deserve answers, systems must be held accountable, and failures cannot be repeated,” said Larry Neufeld. “Tumbler Ridge deserves to know the truth.”

Rattée and Neufeld are calling for a public inquiry that examines system performance across government and the private sector, including: points of contact and information sharing between agencies and institutions, gaps across government, emergency management response, reviewing existing mental health and public safety tools, reviewing the responsibilities of online platforms, including AI services when accounts are flagged, and whether provincial policies left communities without the support they needed.

“I will never forget participating in a vigil in Tumbler Ridge alongside my colleagues,” said Rattée. “It was one of the most heartbreaking moments I ever experienced. We must take every step to ensure that another tragedy like this cannot happen again in our province.”

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Media Contact:
Francesca Guetchev, Press Secretary
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
+1 (672) 922-0948