Burkina Faso Attacks: Trudeau Leads Moment Of Silence For Victims

The prime minister condemned the attacks Saturday as a "brutal act of violent terrorism."

The Canadian Press CP

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Justin Trudeau led a moment of silence for the victims of this weekend's terrorist attack on a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso, an outrage that left six Canadians among the dead.

The prime minister condemned the attacks Saturday on the Splendid Hotel and nearby Cappuccino Cafe in the West African country as a "brutal act of violent terrorism."

Quebec media reports say four members of one family are among the six victims, and they are identified as retired teacher Yves Carrier, his wife Gladys Chamberland and their two adult children.

Trudeau was speaking on Sunday at a restored mosque in Peterborough, Ont., which was firebombed in the aftermath of deadly attacks in Paris last November, a slaughter for which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility.

Most of his remarks focused on the "reprehensible" crime perpetrated against the mosque, saying it doesn't define the community, nor the country, and that the "criminals" who carried it out failed in their attempt to sow hatred and division.

Trudeau says the community responded with hope, love and compassion, and quickly helped rebuild the house of worship.

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Burkina Faso hotel attack

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Special police forces are seen during search operations following an attack by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 16, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
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Liberated hostages are escorted by special forces following an attack by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 16, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
Gunmen attack hotel in Burkina Faso

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Armored soldiers secure a street outside the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 15 January 2016.
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Damaged building of Hotel Splendid where the attackers remain with gunfire continuing in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on January 15, 2016.
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Armored soldiers secure a street outside the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 15 January 2016.
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An armored vehicle from the Burkina Faso army secures a street outside the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 15 January 2016.
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Burkina Faso's soldiers take position in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel following an attack by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 16, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
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French special forces take position in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel following an attack by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen on January 16, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
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French special forces gather while taking position in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel and a restaurant during an attack on both the hotel and restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
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French special forces take position by the Labour Ministry building in the surroundings of the Splendid hotel and a restaurant during an attack on both the hotel and restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen early on January 16, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
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A wounded man receives medical care outside the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
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Burkina Faso's soldiers evacuate an injured man (3rd L) from the Splendid hotel during an attack on both the hotel and a restaurant by Al-Qaeda linked gunmen late on January 15, 2016 in Ouagadougou.
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A foreign survivor of the assault to the Cafe Cappuccino is assisted in Ouagadougou on January 15, 2016.
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French first responders tend to wounded people in the surrounding of the hotel Splendide and the cafe.
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French soldiers gather in the surrounding of the hotel and cafe.
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People gather on Kwame Nkruma avenue near Hotel Splendid where the attackers remain with sporadic gunfire continuing in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on January 15, 2016.
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Burkina Faso's soldier stands near Hotel Splendid.