Ontario’s Minister of Education is asking all schools and board offices in the province to lower their flags to half-mast indefinitely in a show of support for the victims of the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright tragedy.
On Saturday, a grass fire swiftly overcame a military training exercise in the Alberta town, killing four soldiers and wounding 39 others.
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“The tragic loss of life and devastating injuries being reported at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is truly heartbreaking,” Calandra wrote in a post on X.
“This is a national tragedy, and at the request of Premier Ford, I am asking all schools and board offices to fly their flags at half-mast until further notice.”
Calandra went on to say that the lowering of the flags is “an important sign of respect and solidarity as we stand together as a country in mourning.”
“Thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult time,” he said.
On Monday night, the CN Tower is also being dimmed for five minutes at the bottom of each hour to honour the victims of the fire at the CFB Wainwright.
Flags have also been lowered to half-mast at Ontario buildings as well as at city buildings in Hamilton and Vaughan.
