World Economic Forum – Remy Steinegger
If only…
Today Canada awoke to a new reality with the government saying it will do everything in its power to support those with mental illness and addictions after a citizen who had fallen through the cracks killed a soldier on Parliament Hill before being shot and killed outside the Library of Parliament.
"Too often those with mental illness and those who suffer from terrible addictions are ignored and left to their own devices in a society that has not provided the necessary care" said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the House of Commons.
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting had reportedly been staying at a shelter in Ottawa leading up to the shooting spree. The man had stayed at shelters before and had a lengthy criminal record but nothing violent and had reportedly struggled with addictions.
"We have seen this far too often and we will not as a compassionate society sit idly by and let our citizens suffer. We will muster the full might of the state and its resources to help our fellow citizens. We will wage war against desperation and struggle within our own borders no matter the cost" said Harper adding it would be futile to respond to the shooting by restricting rights and increasing surveillance on citizens.
"The best way to combat extremists luring Canadian citizens is to look after our citizens and give hope to those with very little of it" said Harper.
This is certainly not the first time that a man struggling with inner demons has wreaked havoc and shattered lives. In a recent and tragic example from Calgary Matthew de Grood killed five people at a house party in April.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo the young soldier who was killed far too young yesterday" said Harper. "Our thoughts also go out to the thousands of Canadians desperately seeking mental health care in a system that has failed them and to those who are left to struggle with addictions in a society which criminalizes them instead of helping them. While we mourn the loss of one life we must work as hard as we can to ensure that these kinds of incidents don’t happen again. Herding those who need our help into overcrowded hospitals with little to no psychiatric or addictions care is a true national tragedy."
