Premier called upon to speed up response to deadly Vancouver car-ramming attack

There is a call for B.C. Premier David Eby to speed up the province’s response to Saturday’s deadly street festival attack in Vancouver.

Eby said Tuesday there would be a provincial inquiry if the criminal investigation did not get all the answers about how the tragedy happened and how to ensure B.C.’s mental health system keeps people safe.

Eby explained he and the government would call one immediately, but they are aware that it may interfere with the current investigation.

Former BC Liberal public safety minister Kash Heed argues that actions can be taken now.

“He is a policymaker who needs to implement strategies and techniques to make sure this does not happen again. I don’t see that coming from this premier. As a matter of fact, I see him pushing this down the road, making excuses for why we can’t, for example, make sure people in this crisis are not out in our public spaces,” said the current Richmond city councillor.

Heed also believes a public inquiry would be a needless delay to action.

“Something has to be done now. Yes, you can have a public inquiry down the road if you want, but I would like to see clear and sustainable action to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” he told CityNews.

“Right now, we can do it, we have the will to do it.”

An update is expected at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning from Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Interim Police Chief Steve Rai on the investigation of and response to the attack, which saw 11 people killed and dozens more injured when an SUV sped through a Filipino street festival crowd Saturday night.

The suspect, 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, is facing eight charges of second-degree murder.

Vancouver Coastal Health says Lo was under the care of a mental health care team and was on extended leave in accordance with the Mental Health Act.

With files from Kier Junos and Charlie Carey.