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Photo by Cole Burston / ASSOCIATED PRESS

All the leaders touched the same notes — sympathizing with victims, thanking first responders, condemning violence — but they all emphasized different things. When a politician is required to speak about a terrible thing with very little knowledge about what happened or why, it’s a sort of Rorschach test. They talk about what they think is important.

The premier, whose spring election campaign included promises to revisit the laws covering Ontario’s police forces to make sure they aren’t too restrictive, spent most of his speech on law and order. Opposition leader Andrea Horwath emphasized the emergency response. Liberal leader John Fraser focused on the victims. And Green leader Mike Schreiner looked forward, to how a traumatized community can heal.

As premier, Ford had more information about the killer and the sequence of events than the others, because he was briefed by public-safety officials.

“What happened last night is tragic, and it should be cause for anger. It reminds us that the status quo is not good enough. We must do everything we can to bring criminals to justice while preventing other potential shootings,” he said.

Ford’s first thoughts were with the victims, he said.

“What happened on Sunday night was despicable. But I hope it is also a catalyst for all of us to come together — to protect our communities against this kind of outrageous violence,” Ford said.

He thanked “the police officers, paramedics and other first responders who were so quick to act in the aftermath of the shooting. As well as the bystanders on site who helped in the response.”