Canada ‘united in grief’ for CFB Wainwright fire victims, Carney says

The victims of the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta were remembered during a moment of silence in the House of Commons before party leaders expressed their condolences for those who died and were injured.

Prime Minister Mark Carney began the remarks, saying the House was meeting “united in grief.”

“This loss touches every corner of our nation,” he said.

The four soldiers killed have been identified as: Sgt. Morgan Wong, Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Aida Goulding and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark.

Wong was from Edmonton and a member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. The other three were all members of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Infantry (3PPCLI). Though they were based at the Edmonton Garrison, Farrell called Prince Albert, Sask. home while Goulding hailed from North Vancouver and Lykkemark from Langley in B.C.’s Lower Mainland.

Carney remembered each member with remarks on their personalities, saying Goulding “met every hardship with a joke” and “shouldered more than his share” when others struggled.

Farrell was described by the prime minister as a “generous and deeply loyal friend” and a grand master of chess.

Wong was someone known for being there for those who needed him, and had previously served with NATO allies in Latvia and was preparing for a second tour in Europe.

The prime minister said Lykkemark was known for “lightening a hard day” and a quick wit, with a dream to start a career in law enforcement. He and Farrell were also considered best friends, “seldom seen apart.”

“These were sons, brothers, partners, friends, young men with bright futures who chose to serve our country and who died in that cause,” Carney said. “We will honour them always.”

Their deaths came after a routine training exercise for Edmonton-based soldiers descended into chaos at CFB Wainwright when a violent, sudden surge of wind caused a nearby grass fire towards the soldiers at lightning speed.

“This was uncommon, rapid, and I certainly hadn’t seen anything like it,” Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, Commander of 1st Canadian Division, said during an update Sunday afternoon.

About 350 troops with the 3PPCLI were participating in exercises at the base, located 200 km southeast of Edmonton.

Rutland said the grass fire was known well beforehand but not considered a threat. It was located about a kilometre away and considered sufficiently under control that training exercises were allowed to take place nearby on Saturday afternoon.

But the surge of wind changed conditions, with the flames then jumping the base fence and threatening nearby rural areas and the town of Wainwright.

A total of 39 other troops were sent to hospital, with 19 in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon.

“The loss of life and injuries are heartbreaking,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said when she announced the casualty count and confirmed many have serious burns.

The wounded are being cared for in four hospitals: the University of Alberta and Royal Alexandra in Edmonton, Foothills in Calgary and the regional hospital in Red Deer.

Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski is in Alberta and working with the province’s public safety minister, Mike Ellis, Carney said. Work is also being done to ensure every injured soldier receives the specialized treatment needed, he added.

King Charles III and politicians across Canada are among those to have paid condolences for those killed and injured in the fire.

The prime minister also noted that Canadians would gather at cenotaphs for Remembrance Day to remember those who sacrificed their lives for Canada.

“This year, we will carry more names with us,” he said.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is the MP for Battle River-Crowfoot — the riding where the base is situated — said he remembered meeting Goulding when celebrating Canada Day at the base.

“I remembered meeting him. Strong, handsome, polite, a real gentleman,” Poilievre said. “His mother described him as: ‘an exceptional athlete, a natural leader, and a passionate young man who always accomplished his goals. He was the light of my life.’“

He went on to pay tribute to Farrell, Wong and Lykkemark, quoting words made by their family members in social media posts.

Poilievre also commended those who responded, including other soldiers and firefighters.

“We agree that Parliament must support all efforts to reconstruct the base and repair all the damage done,” he said. “But more important than that, we must stand with the wounded, we must make sure that they get the greatest care to save their lives and make their lives as rewarding as possible in the aftermath.”

He urged Canadians to remember those who died and those injured, to donate to military families if possible, and give blood to help those still recovering.

“As the spotlight fades and the news moves on, there will be dark, cold emptiness that follows the loss of a loved one,” Poilievre said. “You must not forget those family members as they go through this dark and often lonely silence.”
NDP MP Gord Johns stood in the House of Commons Monday and stressed the need to support the survivors going forward.

“We need to also recognize that not all wounds are visible,” he said. “Tragedies like this can leave lasting psychological and emotional scars on survivors, fellow service members, first responders and their families.

“Our obligation to them doesn’t end as the headlines fade.”

—with files from Global News’ Karen Bartko, Jeff Semple and Ashleigh Stewart