OTTAWA, ON, April 25, 2026 /CNW/ - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, will return to Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, from April 27 to April 29, 2026.
The Governor General's visit reflects a continued commitment to stand alongside the community beyond the immediate aftermath and support its ongoing healing journey.
While in Tumbler Ridge, the Governor General will honour, listen to and engage with those impacted by the tragedy, including students, education staff, health care workers, first responders, families and other community members. The visit will also recognize the community's resilience in the face of adversity.
As mental health has been a central focus of the Governor General's mandate, Her Excellency will spend time with mental health providers to see what is being done to support accessible, community-based mental health services in Tumbler Ridge.
Itinerary
Note: All local times.
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia
Monday, April 27, 2026
3:00 p.m.
Meeting with His Worship Darryl Krakowka, Mayor of Tumbler Ridge, and with municipal staff and councillors
The Governor General will be welcomed by Mayor Krakowka, municipal staff and councillors outside of Town Hall.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDIA (outside portion only)
305 Iles Way, Tumbler Ridge
3:35 p.m.
Stop at the Roman Walkway Memorial Site
The Governor General will take a moment to reflect at the memorial site. At the base of a large tree along the Roman Walkway, she will lay a paper heart with a message written on it.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDIA
Afternoon
Kindness visits with first responders
Throughout the rest of the afternoon, the Governor General will meet with firefighters and paramedics to thank them personally for their work and ongoing community support. She will then spend time with RCMP members from the Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd community who responded to the incident.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Morning
Visit to the temporary Tumbler Ridge Secondary School site
The Governor General will engage in conversation with students, teachers, support staff, clinicians and safe school liaisons. During the visit, she will attend the English First Peoples class to talk with students about reconciliation and resilience. She will also drop in on the career class to speak with students about career paths, and view students' projects in the Applied Design Skills and Technologies class.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Afternoon
Engagements with health care professionals
The Governor General will spend time with community health care professionals to express her personal gratitude for their work and continued dedication to the people of Tumbler Ridge. She will also meet with clinicians from the province's Child & Youth Mental Health services and from Foundry BC who provide mental health services to youth.
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Notes for media:
- Media interested in covering the visit are asked to contact the Rideau Hall Press Office at [email protected].
- Photos of the visit may be provided to media upon request via [email protected].
- Media members can follow the Governor General's visit and activities at www.gg.ca.
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SOURCE Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
Media information: Rideau Hall Press Office: [email protected]
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