Burkina Faso attacks prompt 2 Quebec City schools to cancel classes

Classes are suspended at two Quebec City schools today afterstaff members were amongthose killed during a12-hour siege Friday in Burkina Faso's capital city.

Yves Carrier, a retired principal,his daughter Maude Carrier and Louis Chabotall worked atCardinal-Roy High SchoolandJean-de-BrbeufSchool.

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Three other Quebecers, Yves Carrier's wife Gladys Chamberland and their sonCharles-lie Carrier, as well as family friend SuzanneBernier, a retired principal atSaint-Paul-AptreSchool,also were killedafter four jihadistattackers linked toal-Qaedastormed the Splendid Hotel and nearby CappuccinoCaf in Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso hotel victims mourned

9 years ago

Duration 1:57

A vigil is being held in Lac-Beauport, Que., for six Quebecers killed in the hotel attack in Ouagadougou

The six Quebecers were part of a humanitarian mission to help build a school. A total of 28 people were killed by gunmen.

"With deaths like this obviously the impact is huge," said rickParent,direction of communications of the Commissionscolairede laCapitaleschool board.

"It's a real tragedy."

The school board plans to provide extensive psychological support and services to staff and students this coming week.

Parent said the school is working with external organizations to provide additional services to hundreds of students.

This attack was an attack on us all.- Philippe Couillard, Quebec premier

"And if there are other needs out there, then you know we will do whatever we have to do," said Parent.

"We won't spare any effort in terms of providing the necessary professional support."

Premier says victims 'loved life'

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillardcondemned the attacks,saying in the National Assembly that nothing could justifty the act and loss of life.

"They were Quebecersand citizens of the world.They were liked and appreciated by all," Couillard said. "Like all of us, they loved life and nothing can justify their deaths."

Couillardwent on to say that it was necessary to combat what he called "barbaric behaviour" andfightradicalization.

"This attack was an attack on us all," Couillard said.

"We will never accept to fold in front of terrorists."