In the news: B.C. community still reeling, Stronach trial begins, and the G.G. awards

By Canadian Press on February 12, 2026.

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed …

Tumbler Ridge ‘one big family,’ mayor tells vigil

A memorial of flowers, lights and stuffed animals grows in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., as the community grapples with the fallout of a mass shooting that killed nine people, mostly children, along with the 18-year-old shooter who police say took her own life.

Young children, teenagers, parents and grandparents huddled against the cold and the grief at a vigil the day after Tuesday’s killing spree, with the mayor telling mourners, “It’s OK to cry.”

District of Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka says crying is not a sign of weakness, but one of strength, and the community needs to “stay strong.”

He says Tumbler Ridge is “one big family,” encouraging people to reach out and support each other, especially the families of those who died in the attack.

Krakowka says the community must support victims’ families “forever,” not only in the days and weeks to come.

History of Tumbler Ridge, a wounded boom town

Tumbler Ridge in the remote Peace region of northeast British Columbia was once best known as a coal mining boom town that was built from scratch in the 1980s, then faced challenges from shifts in its economic fortunes.

Now it is grappling with the greatest tragedy in its 45-year history, which has put the tiny community under an international spotlight.

The community was trying to make sense of the “incomprehensible and devastating” events of Tuesday, when an 18-year-old shooter killed her mother and stepbrother before going to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and gunning down a teacher and five pupils before killing herself.

“Our community is strong; we are family; we need to help each other,” says Darryl Krakowka, mayor of the District of Tumbler Ridge, in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Dad of Alberta school shooting victim on healing

The father of a student killed in a school shooting in southern Alberta almost 27 years ago says forgiveness was at the heart of how he tackled the tragedy.  

Retired reverend Dale Lang lost his 17-year-old son, Jason, after the teen was shot by a fellow student in a hallway at W.R. Myers High School in Taber, Alta., about 300 kilometres southeast of Calgary, in 1999.

The 14-year-old shooter, who also wounded another student, was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder and sentenced as a youth to three years in jail and seven years of probation.

“In our case, God granted us the grace to be able to forgive the boy who killed our son, and that was hugely important for us,” he said in an interview Wednesday.

Stronach’s Toronto sex assault trial set to begin

The sexual assault trial of Canadian auto parts magnate Frank Stronach is set to begin in Toronto today after more than a week of delay.

The judge-alone trial was initially scheduled to begin early last week but Stronach’s lawyer asked for more time to prepare after receiving what she described as a large volume of disclosure “at the 11th hour.”

When court reconvened for an update days later, defence lawyer Leora Shemesh indicated she would apply for a stay of proceedings over concerns some of the complainants may have been coached by prosecutors.

The application would be heard after the trial, which was rescheduled to today.

Hockey fans ready for Olympic double bill

Fans across Canada are set for a double bill of Olympic hockey action today as the women look to bounce back from a tough loss and the men open their tournament.

Hockey faithful will gather at bars and watch parties this morning to see NHL players return to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014 as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and their Canadian teammates face Czechia.

Before that, the Canadian women are taking on Finland in a rescheduled matchup that was postponed last week when the Finnish team was hit by a norovirus outbreak.

The team will look to rally from a disappointing 5-0 loss against the United States on Tuesday.

Barbara Hannigan wins Governor General’s award

Barbara Hannigan has had what most people would consider a very busy year: dozens of performances across the globe, an album release and several prestigious awards.

For the soprano and conductor, though, it’s just another 12 months in the books.

“This is kind of what my years are like,” she says. “Every year is very full and always has been since I was a kid. It was full, when I was a child, of music lessons and community events and school concerts and then as I grew up and moved into being a professional musician, I’ve kept up the pace.”

Though the volume of engagements isn’t unusual, Hannigan is nonetheless being recognized for the year’s work.

She was announced Thursday as the recipient of the National Arts Centre award from the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.