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Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government will always stand with the victims of terrorism as he marked the first anniversary of a deadly attack along Yonge Street.

A year ago Tuesday, a man ploughed into pedestrians as he drove a van down a busy sidewalk. In the aftermath, ten people were dead and 16 others injured.

“One year ago, terror struck at the very heart of our capital city, our province, and our country,” Ford’s statement said. “In a series of shocking moments of evil, loved ones were lost, and lives were shattered forever. This senseless and monstrous attack shook our sense of security and our identity as a free and peaceful society.”

“But even in our darkest moments, we always remain strong and united. In the face of such tragedy and terror, the people of Canada do what we have always done. We come together, as many will today at vigils across the city. We mourn those we have lost and comfort the families and friends left behind. And, we demand that those who commit such cowardly acts of violence be brought to justice.”

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Police arrested Alex Minassian of Richmond Hill soon after, and Minassian, 26, is expected to stand trial in January 2020. He faces ten counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released her own statement marking the anniversary.

“We will remember Beutis Renuka Amarasinghe, Andrea Bradden, Geraldine Brady, So He Chung, Anne Marie D’Amico, Mary Elizabeth Forsyth, Chul Min “Eddie” Kang, Ji Hun Kim, Munir Najjar, and Dorothy Sewell,” read her statement. “April 23 is now a day to remember those lives lost and think about the people who loved them. It’s a day to consider how we’re supporting and caring for those who were injured, and those witnesses living with the lasting trauma.

“It’s a day to thank police, emergency services workers, and front-line health care staff for their bravery, compassion and heroic actions that day,” she continued in her statement.

Starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Torontonians will observe a moment of silence and prayer in Olive Square Park on Yonge Street. One-half hour later, there will be an event in Mel Lastman Square to commemorate the victims and honour the first responders. This evening, there is a vigil, also at Mel Lastman Square. Residents are also invited to reclaim Yonge Street with a sidewalk chalk and community canvas event.