Premier David Eby did not rule out a public inquiry into the Feb. 10 mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, saying he would “use any tools available” to get answers about the tragedy.
He said that could include a coroner’s inquest or a public inquiry, but he did not provide a timeline for when either could take place, noting the RCMP investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
His comments in the legislature on Thursday came in response to a call from Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld for a public inquiry into the shootings, which left eight people dead and dozens more injured at a school and a home in the community.
Neufeld said a public inquiry is needed to answer questions about whether government agencies, institutions, and private-sector platforms had information that should have triggered earlier intervention. He said there was a lack of consistent mental health support in the small northeastern B.C. community and noted the suspect, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, had previously sought help for her mental health.
RCMP said following the shootings that police had gone to Van Rootselaar’s home on multiple occasions over the past several years in relation to mental health concerns. Police also said she had previously been apprehended for assessment under the Mental Health Act.
Eby and other provincial and federal leaders have also raised questions about the role of online platforms in the tragedy. A report from the Wall Street Journal said ChatGPT-maker OpenAI decided not to inform authorities about concerns employees had raised about Van Rootselaar’s online activity months before the shootings.
“From the outside, it looks like OpenAI had the opportunity to prevent this tragedy,” said Eby on Monday.
Federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon met with officials from OpenAI in Ottawa this week, but told media he was left “disappointed” by the meeting.
Neufeld said he would support a joint federal-provincial inquiry, similar to the Mass Casualty Commission that took place following the April 2020 mass shootings in Nova Scotia. In that case, the RCMP were criticized for being slow to respond to the attacks, which left 22 people dead at 16 different locations. The final report from that commission included a number of recommendations to reform policing in Canada.
Neufeld praised the RCMP response to the Tumbler Ridge shooting, noting officers arrived at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School within minutes of receiving a call.
“They did a fantastic job in this incredibly challenging situation,” said Neufeld.
B.C. Green MLA Rob Botterell also said he supports the call for a public inquiry.
“This isn’t about assigning blame. This is about looking at the whole spectrum of factors that led to that horrible event and tragedy,” said Botterell. He said a public inquiry should examine issues ranging from policing and firearms to health, housing, and technology like AI.
Neufeld said that despite not receiving a firm commitment from the premier to launch a public inquiry, he is satisfied with Eby’s response.
“I’m insistent that the answers be found, and I’m insistent that the people deserve those answers to potentially prevent something like this from happening again,” he said.
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