Yesterday afternoon, a violent, fast-moving fire swept through the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Base in Wainwright, Alberta.
What followed was one of the worst tragedies for the Forces on Canadian soil in peacetime.
I regret that I can confirm at this time that four service members have lost their lives and their next of kin have been notified. Dozens more are seriously wounded.
As the situation is evolving rapidly, I have asked that a detailed account and formal briefing be provided to Canadians this afternoon by senior officials on the ground in Wainwright, including the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, and CAF Major-General Wade Rutland. They will be joined by provincial ministers and senior officials.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the close collaboration between all levels of government.
Since last evening, Premier Smith and I have been in regular contact. Our ministers and officials have coordinated the response deploying resources from the CAF, public safety, local fire department, and Alberta emergency and medical services.
The nation is in mourning for those brave members of our Armed Forces whom we have lost. And I have asked the flags on all federal buildings to be flown at half-mast to honour them.
We are praying for the wounded.
And we stand in solidarity and compassion for the families, friends, and colleagues of all those affected by this tragedy.
Canadians come together in crisis. That is the best of our country.
Military and civilian crews fought this fire through the night, in some of the worst conditions imaginable, risking their lives to protect their fellow Canadians.
STARS Air ambulance crews flew in from Edmonton and Saskatoon.
Paramedics, nurses, and doctors in Wainwright, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary are caring for victims.
The people of Wainwright are taking care of their own.
Thank you to Albertans and Canadians who are giving blood. Who are feeding and housing emergency crews. Who are providing solace and comfort to those in their darkest hour.
Those affected came from bases across the country, including reservists and soldiers from the storied Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Throughout Canada’s history, the Princess Pats have fought for freedom, democracy, and human dignity. In the First World War, in the Second World War, in Korea, in Afghanistan, and during numerous peace keeping missions.
That is the record, that is the standard, those are the values of the women and men who were training on the Alberta prairie yesterday afternoon when disaster struck.
That commitment, that service, those ideals are the debts we, as Canadians, owe to them.
Our country depends on the women and men of the CAF. Our rights, our freedoms, our way of life are fought for and defended every single day by Canadians who answer the call.
CFB Wainwright is where the women and men of our Armed Forces learn to do the hardest things this country can ask of anyone.
Those we lost were training to defend Canada. To serve Canada.
Now Canada serves them.
We will be there for their families for as long as they need. We will care for the injured through every step of their recovery. And we will stand by the women and men of our Armed Forces as they bear the weight of this loss.
They will not carry it alone.
In Canada, we take care of one another.
Thank you.
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