Philippe Couillard Says Deaths Of Seven Quebecers Strengthen Resolve In Terrorism Fight

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says nothing can explain attacks on people who work to build a better world.

 

Couillard paid tribute today to seven Quebecers who died in terrorist attacks abroad late last week in Indonesia and Burkina Faso.

 

A Laval resident died Thursday in Jakarta while six people from the Quebec City area were killed during a siege in Ouagadougou late Friday.

 

The premier said in a statement at the legislature in Quebec City that the fight against terrorists must continue.

 

Couillard says the violence that seemed so far away in the past very much affects people here at home.

 

And he says the heinous acts should strengthen the determination to fight the perpetrators of these acts.

 

"The fact of living in a society that is open, democratic, has more solidarity, does not isolate us, does not protect us from terrorism," Couillard said Monday.

 

Tahar Amer-Ouali, a father of five, was killed in Jakarta in an attack by militants tied to the Islamic State group, while six Quebecers on a humanitarian mission were killed in Burkina Faso's capital during a terrorist attack carried out by al-Qaida.

 

Four of the dead were from the same family: Yves Carrier, his wife Gladys Chamberland, their adult son Charlelie Carrier and Yves' adult daughter, Maude Carrier.

 

The others who died were their friends, Louis Chabot and Suzanne Bernier.

 

Four of the six were previous or current employees of a Quebec City school board.