Canadians gathered at vigils in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton and several other communities across the country after the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Canada is a leader in LGBTQ rights being an early adopter of same-sex marriage and laws promoting equality. In spite of that, there is still violence and discrimination that occurs and participants noted the need to redouble their efforts to counter that.
![Ontario premier, Kathleen Wynne (centre) attended the Toronto vigil with her partner Jane Rounthwaite.](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/13/635x357/PC_160613_mp3d1_rci-vigil-wynne_sn635.jpg)
In Canada’s biggest city, Toronto, between three and five-thousand people gathered including the mayor and the premier of the province, Kathleen Wynne who is herself openly gay.
“What happened in Orlando happened to all of us,” she said.
![Toronto’s vigil lasted well into the night.](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/13/635x357/PC_160613_un36a_rci-vigil-toronto_sn635.jpg)
In the nation’s capital, Ottawa, people gathered at the Human Rights Monument.
A statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended condolences to the families of the victims and ended with “we stand in solidarity with Orlando and the LGBTQ2 community.”
![Mourners created a Canadian flag with rainbow borders to place with candles at the Toronto vigil.](http://img.src.ca/2016/06/13/635x357/PC_160613_6n12g_rci-vigil-flag_sn635.jpg)
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