‘So be it’: Eby fires back on criticism of strong language about attack suspect

A heated exchange in the B.C. Legislature Thursday preceded a scheduled court appearance Friday for the man suspected of the deadly vehicle-ramming attack in Vancouver that left 11 people dead and dozens more injured.

Police say the suspect, 30-year-old Kai Ji Adam Lo, had several police interactions in the past — all mental health-related.

On Wednesday, B.C. Premier David Eby declared that Friday, May 2 will be an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims.

Prompted by Saturday’s tragic attack, Eby also said his government will start a review of the province’s Mental Health Act.

In Victoria on Thursday, Eby and Conservative MLA Peter Milobar got into a fiery back-and-forth over Eby’s strong public comments about the suspect.



Milobar questioned why Eby and his caucus refuse to talk about other subjects before the courts while being so open and direct about Lo’s case.

When the opposition party questions the BC NDP about court cases, Milobar says the members are typically dismissed out of hand.

“If the premier is weighing in on issues like this so forcefully, has the premier and the attorney general now changed direction? And will ministers now be allowed to actually talk about very serious, critical issues going on in front of their ministries that are in front of the courts? Or is that right solely reserved for the premier to voice opinions?” Milobar asked.

In response, Eby said he struggled to understand the position Milobar was taking.

“I have a high opinion of the independence of our courts, their ability to hear the evidence, to reach the conclusions that they’re going to reach. I’ll respect whatever the decision is,” Eby conceded.

“But it will not change my opinion that this man did a despicable thing, did the most hateful thing, that he ruined the work of thousands of people and traumatized thousands more; that he stole children from parents, parents from children; and that he should spend the rest of his life in jail. If that is a point of controversy in this house between our side and their side, then so be it.”

Despite the premier’s statements, none of the eight charges against Lo have yet been tested in court. In the eyes of the law, he is considered innocent until proven guilty.

Eby says his own position is an act of standing up for the victims and “right-minded” British Columbians.

“That man should spend the rest of his God-damn life in jail.”

—With files from Mike Lloyd

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