Ron McKinnon

Mr. Speaker, when Christine and I sent Katherine and Sarah off on school trips, we waved goodbye and could not wait to hear about their adventures when they returned home. That was the expectation for the parents of Minnekhada Middle School students in Port Coquitlam yesterday. Ten students and two adults on an end-of-year excursion to Cultus Lake Waterpark sustained serious electrical injuries. They were rushed to hospital by ground and air ambulance. They are now in stable condition. To the kids, I say get better soon. They have an entire community pulling for them. To the parents, I say I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety in those moments. No parent expects a call like the one they received yesterday. I want to assure the parents, the children and all those impacted that the whole Tri-Cities community stands with them.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House that on Friday, April 24, I was arrested by the Coquitlam RCMP. The crime was drinking too much coffee while on House duty. I pleaded guilty. I was cuffed for a cure. Cuffed for a Cure is the lighter side of Cops for Cancer. The harder side is the cycling. Each year, officers across Canada cycle hundreds of kilometres raising funds for life-saving childhood cancer research and supporting families facing the unimaginable. Their commitment reflects the very best of our community: compassion, resilience and a deep sense of service. I encourage all Canadians to support Cops for Cancer and to help ensure that no child faces cancer alone.

Mr. Speaker, next week, residents of Port Coquitlam will celebrate one of our community's most beloved traditions, May Days. Now in its 103rd year, this long-standing celebration of spring brings together neighbours, families and visitors for festivities that reflect the very best of community spirit. From the opening ceremonies this Sunday to the Rotary May Day Parade the following Saturday, May 9, May Days is a reminder of the strong volunteerism and local pride that define our community. I encourage everyone to take part and to enjoy the live music, delicious food and many family-friendly activities that make May Days so special. I encourage everyone to join in celebrating what makes Port Coquitlam such a vibrant place to call home.

Mr. Speaker, Tuesday's tragic events at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School have left a community devastated. My heart is with the families grieving unimaginable loss. I am wishing love and strength to the people who were injured and to the students, staff and residents who are now trying to process what happened. No community should have to experience this kind of violence. I want to acknowledge the courage and professionalism of all first responders, educators and local officials who acted swiftly to protect others and to respond in a moment of crisis. On behalf of Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, I extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected. We stand with the people of Tumbler Ridge, all British Columbians and indeed all Canadians at this heartbreaking time.

Mr. Speaker, Iranian Canadians' hearts ache every day. It is the silence after an email that never delivers, the fear when a loved one cannot be reached and the worry that a simple act of courage will be met with violence. In our communities across B.C.'s Lower Mainland, many are living this reality right now, as they have relatives and friends in Iran facing repression, detention and worse. To them, I want to say clearly, I hear them and they are not alone. We mourn those who have been lost, including the victims of flight PS752, and we stand with families still seeking truth, justice and accountability. I will keep listening to Iranian Canadians, and I will keep pressing the Government of Canada to work with partners to defend human rights and protect our communities here from intimidation and foreign interference.