Residents of Amqui, Que., take back the streets for 1st time since truck mowed down pedestrians
CBC
Wednesday marked the first time Yolaine Voyer returned to Saint-Benoît Boulevard in Amqui, Que., where two people were killed and nine others were injured on Monday.
A lifelong resident of the town on the Gaspé peninsula and an avid walker, she says she considered changing her route after a pickup truck driver slammed into a group of pedestrians two days ago in what police say was a deliberate act.
The tightly knit community is mourning the two men who died, Gérald Charest, 65, and Jean Lafrenière, 73, and hoping that the injured pull through.
"I am just lucky to not be one of the people who was trampled. It's just dreadful," said Voyer.
"On Monday afternoon everyone was calling me, (including) my family who lives out of town saying 'I hope you weren't there,' because they know I love to walk on the boulevard," said Voyer, who said they were relieved to hear from her.
"They said 'my God it's good to hear your voice.'"
Like many other local retirees, Voyer enjoys walking along Saint-Benoît Boulevard, which runs alongside the railway tracks and is lined with local businesses, restaurants and popular stores.
She hopes people can overcome their fear and return.
"We have to realize life is (still) beautiful after this tragedy. We can't worry about this happening again tomorrow because then we wouldn't leave the house," said Voyer.
"What makes me feel safe today is to see a lot of police and social workers on this road. I spoke with them."
She says community members are hoping to get the go-ahead from the city to plan an event over the weekend on the sidewalk of the boulevard — lining it with candles to reclaim the space.
Pauline Parent and her friend, Roselyne Tremblay, were walking along the boulevard Wednesday when they stopped to talk to the social workers and police officers knocking on doors of businesses.
Parent says they suggested the community talk about what happened with each other.
"We have to talk about it and express what we are thinking. We didn't sleep well these past couple nights but sleep will soon return to us. It's day by day for us … but what impresses me a lot is the solidarity of everyone," said Parent.
Canada is preparing for U.S. President Donald Trump to hit the country with potentially devastating tariffs on Tuesday, but the federal government and the premiers say they are in the dark about what will actually materialize and how high those promised levies will be.
Former P.E.I. Premier Dennis King has been appointed as Canada's new ambassador to Ireland, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday in a news release.
Oxford and Elgin counties have the highest number of measles cases in the country, the province's public health agency says, as local medical officials warn of more possible exposures to the deadly virus.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will take questions from media Monday for the first time since his Progressive Conservatives won their third-straight majority in a snap election last week.
Newfoundland and Labrador is staring down federal, provincial, and municipal elections in the next eight months, but for one new Canadian the opportunity to vote is something she's not taking for granted.
Even with a dirt trench running down the hallway, and exposed wires and pipes hanging from the ceiling, it still kind of looks like an elementary school.
Some of the most affordable rental housing in Nova Scotia is rapidly becoming less so, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data analyzed by CBC News.
A two-time federal Conservative candidate in Miramichi says he doesn't think current party MP Jake Stewart can win again in a federal election that is expected to start within weeks.
Quebec municipalities and human rights groups are voicing concerns about proposed legislation that would require newcomers to abide by a set of common values.
Amazon and Walmart Canada have so far ignored the NDP government's requests to restrict the online sale of machetes to Manitobans, the province says.
Saskatoon city council is seeking money to crack down on unlicensed short-term rentals in the city, like those on AirBnB and VRBO, amid an active moratorium on licensing certain new short-term rentals.
When Kwaku Ayisi lost a friend who hadn't even reached 40 to breast cancer, it inspired him to look at the barriers Black women face in Saskatchewan's breast-health system.
A northern Alberta town is losing its only family doctor clinic and officials are trying to find solutions before the doors close for good at the end of May.