Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canadians will come together to “support each other, to mourn together and to grow together” after a shooting in B.C. left 10 people dead.

Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Carney called it a “very difficult day for the nation” and pledged his government’s support for those impacted while ordering flags to be flown at half-mast for the next week. 

“This morning, parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler Ridge will wake up without someone they love,” he said while fighting back tears.

“The nation mourns with you. Canada stands by.”

Carney said Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree was travelling to B.C. and the province’s premier, David Eby, would soon visit Tumbler Ridge, located over 600 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

RCMP said eight people, including the suspect, were found dead on Tuesday after a shooting at a school in the community.

Two more bodies were found at a home that is a location believed to be connected to the incident.

After news of the tragedy broke, Carney cancelled a planned announcement in Halifax on Wednesday and a trip to Europe to attend the Munich Security Conference.

The announcement was to unveil the government’s long-awaited defence industrial strategy.

The prime minister said he received condolences from King Charles III and many world leaders, including France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Finland, India and the United Arab Emirates.

Carney and the other party leaders will make a statement on the shooting when the House of Commons opens this afternoon, after which MPs are expected to adjourn for the day.

In a post on social media, Conservative MP Bob Zimmer, whose riding includes Tumbler Ridge, said his “sincere thoughts and prayers go out for the victims still in hospital and for those Tumbler Ridge families who have lost loved ones.”

Speaking to iPolitics before a cabinet meeting, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called the school shooting a “great tragedy,” adding that “we don’t see these things in our country.”

Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr, who represents a B.C. riding, said Tumbler Ridge is a small community and everyone likely knew someone impacted by the shooting.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre urged Canadians to “pray for the community and pray for the families as we go forward and take the necessary steps to support them.”

“We are all devastated by the news of this appalling shooting in Tumbler Ridge. The fact that this took place at a secondary school, it makes it even more tragic,” he said.

“As a father, I can’t even imagine the phone calls that parents might have received. I can’t imagine the heartache and hell that they’re living through at this moment. This is a time for all Canadians to unite to support the families and the community at large.”

The shooting came only hours before a man and two children were found dead in a Western Quebec First Nations’ community in what police are calling a suspected murder-suicide.

Liberal MP Sophie Chatel, who represents Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg in the House, said she was “heartbroken” by the events and offered her condolences to those impacted.

with files from the Canadian Press