Burkina Faso attacks: Lac-Beauport held vigil for 6 Quebecers killed
CBC News | Posted: January 18, 2016 9:47 PM | Last Updated: January 19, 2016
Makeshift memorial set up outside Carrier family home
An evening vigil was held in Lac-Beauport, Que., for the six Quebecers killed during a 12-hour siege Friday in Burkina Faso's capital city of Ouagadougou.
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Gladys Chamberland, her spouse Yves Carrier, 65, and their children Charles-Élie and Maude died when four jihadist attackers linked to al-Qaeda stormed the Splendid Hotel and nearby Cappuccino Café in Ouagadougou.
Louis Chabot and Suzanne Bernier, who accompanied the family on a humanitarian mission, were also killed during the attacks.
Friends and family at the vigil said they were trying to make a difference.
"The last few weeks of their lives were happy because they were doing what they loved, travelling and helping people," said Victoria Dupuis, a relative of the Carriers.
"There are still many good people in the world, and they were."
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard made a brief statement at the vigil. After expressing his condolences, Couillard showed a picture of him and one of the deceased, Charles-Élie Carrier, together.
The two had met when Couillard visited Le Saisonnier, the day camp where Carrier worked, years ago.
A makeshift memorial has been set up outside the Carrier family's home in Lac-Beauport, just north of Quebec City.
"I thought it would be great, especially for the young adults who were very close to the family and Charles-Élie who died," Lac-Beauport Mayor Louise Brunet said.
"This is a gathering for memories and helping each other. We have to stick together. I think it's important for the community"