CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The breeze was cool but the hearts were warm — and a little heavy across Prince Edward Island on Friday.
Emergency service agencies from one end of the province to the other took part in parades to honour the victims lost in the shooting recently in Nova Scotia.
Both parades got underway at 11:45 a.m. — one leaving from North River Fire Department in Cornwall, winding its way past the Maypoint detachment of the RCMP as well as RCMP L Division headquarters on University Avenue in Charlottetown, ending at the new Stratford emergency centre. The other one left from the Prestige Kitchen parking lot on Read Drive in Summerside and finished at the East Prince detachment of the RCMP in Bedeque.
“I’m here just to show my support,’’ said Ashley Lewis of Charlottetown, one of a countless number of people who lined University Avenue.
Lewis struggled to find the words to go on but could only point to the two Canadian flags she placed on the windows of the vehicle to show her pride in the RCMP, which lost one of its own, Const. Heidi Stevenson, who was killed this past weekend trying to stop a mass murderer.
People got out of their vehicles as the parade moved past.
The mood was somber.
The parade stopped in front of the RCMP headquarters on University Avenue. Members of the national police force waved as the sirens blared. And there were a few tears in the crowd.
“There is a sadness in this great country we have,’’ said Kathy Gillis of Stratford. “I am proud to be Canadian and I’m proud of the RCMP for everything they do. They do the best they can. There is so much negativity around us right now.’’
Darlene Boudreau of Charlottetown said she thought about her family in Nova Scotia as the parade went by, adding that a close friend of hers is a member of the RCMP.
“I am here out of respect for them, for Nova Scotia. “We used to camp in that area (the shooting). This tragedy,’’ Boudreau said pausing for the right words, “I have so much gratitude for the RCMP. They put their lives on the line every day, every time they go out.’’
Chief Supt. Jennifer Ebert, commanding officer of the RCMP for P.E.I., laid a wreath outside the provincial headquarters in Charlottetown Friday afternoon.
She was joined by four other members in a short, sombre ceremony to pay respect to Stevenson. For the first time, the RCMP were not able to hold a regimental funeral, which is a tradition that's steeped deep into the history of the national police service of Canada.
The union representing RCMP officers says strict limits on gatherings and physical distancing rules prevented a regimental funeral from happening for the first time.
The Police Federation asked Canadians to wear something red on Friday and to pause for two minutes at 2 p.m. Atlantic time.
The family of the fallen constable have chosen to hold a small, private family funeral that respects the current public health measures. Later, once restrictions are eased, the family has agreed to a more formal celebration of her life, which the RCMP will honour in traditional fashion.
RCMP members held similar small ceremonies in the province and members also placed their Red Serge - the jacket of the dress uniform of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – on their front doors.
In western P.E.I., cars lined Highway 1A from Reads Corner to the East Prince RCMP detachment.
Members and staff from the detachment stood next to the Canadian flag, flying at half-mast.
Fire trucks from Lennox Island to Crapaud, police vehicles from Summerside, Kensington and the Atlantic Police Academy filed past, lights flashing, but otherwise silent. Other services who have occasion to work closely with the RCMP like tow trucks, Maritime Electric, Parks Canada and provincial enforcement departments were also in line to show their respects.
"It's remarkable," said RCMP Cpl. Scott Mintie. Dressed in red serge, he stood with retired K-9 officer Dutch at his side. "We totally didn't expect this."
The parade returned and came to a stop at the detachment. Several representatives laid flowers and a wreath in honour of Const. Stevenson.
Miscouche firefighter Gary Myers watched with his wife Cindy. Learning of the events in Nova Scotia was a "total shock."
"I'm glad to see this turnout," he said, gesturing to the long line of parade vehicles and the onlookers.
Darcy Clinton, chief of paramedics with Island EMS, said his team sends out its deepest condolences to those touched by the tragedy.
“Our thoughts are with our fellow first responders who answered the call, Nova Scotia RCMP and communities across Nova Scotia,’’ Clinton said.
With files from Jim Day and Alison Jenkins
