The B.C. government has postponed the opening of its spring legislative session Thursday, while MLAs held a moment of silence in the Chamber in honour of the eight victims of the Tumbler Ridge shooting.

Premier David Eby says the Legislature and government cannot continue with ‘business as usual,’ given the tragedy still casting its shadow.

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“Everybody from all parties understood why we could not go ahead with the Throne Speech today,” Eby told reporters in Victoria.

Wednesday’s Throne Speech was shorter and different than usual, as the Lieutenant Governor spoke about the Tumbler Ridge shooting instead of plans for the upcoming legislature session.

However, Eby assured the public that his government will still put forward its annual budget.

“There will be a budget speech,” he said.

Eby adds that as representatives of British Columbians, it is part of the MLAs’ service to the province to recognize a moment of tragedy and horror.

“The legislature is a place of laws and of regulations, but it is also a place that is full of symbols of who we are as a province, where we have come from and where we are going,” Eby said.

He emphasized the message of Lieutenant Governor Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia’s Throne Speech, encouraging British Columbians to reach out to friends, families, or neighbours and give them support.

“I think that’s what we’re doing here today as a group,” Eby said.

The premier thanked his colleagues, also across the political aisle, for presenting unity in the aftermath of the shooting.

He says it is important that British Columbians can come together in this moment, while the province is facing “huge challenges.”

The meaningful thing for elected representatives to do now, Eby says, is to reach out to their constituents and communities.

“There’s anxiety in our schools, in our home communities. We want to be able to support.”

He says the Northern Health Authority is working on making the needed medical resources available, as health care is a challenge currently in Tumbler Ridge.

“They’re making plans about how to provide that support on an ongoing basis, going forward in Tumbler Ridge,” Eby said.