18 January 2016•Update: 20 January 2016
TRENTON, Ont.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Sunday called the death of six Quebecers in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso an “unspeakable and tragic loss.”
Among at least 28 victims killed were four Canadians from one family – Gladys Chamberland and her spouse Yves Carrier, along with their adult son and daughter, Charlelie and Maude. Also killed were two friends of the family who had accompanied them on the trip.
They had left for Africa at the end of December to build a school on behalf of a religious congregation.
Trudeau made his remarks Sunday while taking part in the reopening of a mosque in Peterborough, Ontario that had been closed after an arsonist struck.
“Yesterday, we got terrible news of violent terrorism in Burkina Faso where six Canadian people were killed,” the prime minister said. “In solidarity with their families that are suffering an unspeakable and tragic loss, I ask you to join me in a moment of silence and reflection.”
Canadian Conservative Party leader Rona Ambrose condemned the attacks, saying Canada must do more to combat terrorism, the Canadian Press wire service reported.
“These ongoing attacks are proof that decisive action is required to confront this threat, including fully supporting our coalition allies and keeping our CF-18s in the fight in Iraq and Syria,” she said.
Trudeau has said that the CF-18s will at some point discontinue participation in allied air strikes.
A national day of mourning began Sunday in the West African country for the victims from 18 different countries who died when four jihadist attackers linked to al-Qaeda invaded a luxury hotel on Friday, Canadian media reported.
The attackers were killed when French security forces stormed the Splendid Hotel and nearby Cappuccino Café, ending the siege Saturday.
In a message to the nation, Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said his country had to unite to fight terrorism. He also said security forces would step up efforts to thwart future attacks, the Canadian Press wire service reported.
