John Ivison: Leaders walk tightrope after Vancouver car attack

HAMILTON — Elections are like games of chess — extended exercises in emotion and reason aimed at persuading millions of people to vote for you, and not for your rival. It is a serious business, but it is not life and death. Sometimes, though, in the middle of these democratic contests, the fragility of life intrudes, violently and shockingly. That was the case with the news that emerged from the Lapu Lapu Filipino festival in Vancouver on Saturday evening. Vancouver Police have confirmed that nine people were killed and more than 20 injured, in what they describe as a car-ramming attack. One suspect is in custody, a 30-year-old male who the Vancouver Sun reported appeared to be suffering from mental health issues , and who was reportedly seen on video saying: “Sorry, sorry.” He is believed to have been acting alone. The news stopped the federal election campaign in its tracks on its second-last day. This is a campaign that has been characterized by an absence of dramatic events, with polls hardly moving over the course of the campaign. However, the violence in Vancouver could yet provoke a late shift toward the Conservatives, who have claimed that a weak justice system is failing to deter people from breaking the law. Parties recalibrate campaigns after Vancouver ‘car ramming attack’ kills nine Mark Carney had been due to speak at a whistle-stop event for campaign workers in Hamilton, at 8 a.m. local time, before the tour headed to Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. The Hamilton event was cancelled and the departure for Saskatoon delayed as Carney was briefed by law enforcement officials, his national security adviser and the public safety minister, David McGuinty. At 10 a.m., a sombre prime minister appeared before travelling reporters with a statement. Standing in front of four Canadian flags but with no campaign material on display, he said that he was “shocked and devastated” by the news. He said the government does not believe that there is any active threat to Canadians. This is the first time as prime minister that Carney has had to respond to a tragedy like this and he appeared to be visibly affected. “Last night, families lost sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives. And to them and to the many others who were injured, Filipinos and everyone in Vancouver, I would like to offer my deepest condolences,” he said. A senior official for the Liberal campaign said the tour will continue but would “adjust in significant ways.” The Conservatives indicated that they will continue with their campaign, ending with a rally in Pierre Poilievre’s own Ottawa-area riding of Carleton. But all politicians are walking a tightrope. The attack plays into the Conservative narrative that the Liberals put criminals’ rights ahead of victims’ rights, and that the streets are less safe than they were 10 years ago. But with so many details still unconfirmed, it would be an extremely rash politician who links events in Vancouver to federal government policy. Carney’s task was to appear as a steady hand in a crisis. He appeared comfortable in that role, but will have to guard against appearing too partisan as he shifts back into campaign mode and wraps up the 2025 election. jivison@criffel.ca Twitter.com/IvisonJ