Conservatives Support Independent Inquiry on Tumbler Ridge
Vancouver, BC – February 10, 2026 and the days that followed brought unimaginable agony to the families of Tumbler Ridge. Fathers and mothers have buried their sons and daughters. Some victims fight to hold onto life, while many more survivors will live with the trauma for the rest of their lives.
Today, Bob Zimmer, Conservative Member of Parliament for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, and Frank Caputo, Conservative Shadow Minister for Public Safety, held a press conference calling for an independent public inquiry into the mass shooting in the community of Tumbler Ridge.
“Tumbler Ridge families are in mourning. What do you say to a Mom who lost her daughter or to a Dad who lost his son,” said Zimmer. “We need answers for those Moms and Dads.”
In the aftermath of this trauma, and despite the RCMP’s ongoing investigation, community members and all Canadians still have questions about the shooter’s mental health, their access to firearms, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and the protection of the victims’ families.
“As a former prosecutor, I know the importance of getting at the truth when so many people are turned into victims by a single horrific event,” said Caputo.
Victims, their families, and all Canadians need answers to these questions. That is why Conservatives are calling for an independent public inquiry into the Tumbler Ridge Shooting under the Inquiries Act. Independent Commissions have the power to subpoena witnesses, take evidence under oath, request documents and present findings and recommendations free of any interference.
This inquiry must answer multiple questions of grave importance:
- The cause, context and circumstances that led to the shooting, including the shooter’s access to firearms, why firearms were returned to the shooter’s home, and the prior interactions and the relationship of the shooter with police and social services;
- The shooter’s mental health, including the role of treatments provided;
- The responses of police, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Firearms Program and the Alert Ready program;
- The nature of the AI used by the shooter and the relationship between ethical use of AI and individual privacy; and
- The steps taken to inform, support and engage those most affected, including investigations into the threats received by victims’ families.
No inquiry should be held in the dark, nor take so long as to leave victims behind. It should provide regular progress reports and have a mandate of not more than one year once underway.
A call of this nature transcends party affiliation. We invite colleagues from all parties and regions of the country to support this effort.
Conservatives, like all Canadians, will stand with Tumbler Ridge families, British Columbians and all Canadians who deserve answers.