Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the tragic story of two young lives: one lost and one shattered. Earlier this week, the people of Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood, my neighbourhood, were rocked when St. Aubyn Rodney, a 15-year-old who was known to his friends as “Tubby”, was fatally shot in a community housing building. Following the shooting, police charged a 17-year-old with manslaughter for his role in the terrible accident.
Last night, area residents held a candlelight vigil to remind the family that we stand together as a community. Their loss is the community's loss. We all share in mourning for Tubby and for all young people caught up in the violence on our streets. Today, the community mourns the loss of young potential, two lives destroyed by events that could have been prevented.
I know that every member of the House joins with me in offering our deepest condolences to Tubby's family and friends. Today, we stand in solidarity with those who have lost so much in the wake of violence in our country, and I truly hope we can work together to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again.