Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie's deaths mourned by 'the entire country,' Trudeau says

Justin Trudeau says all ofCanada shares in Calgary's grief as the city mourns the loss of five-year-old Taliyah Marsman, whosebody was discovered Thursday night,three days after her mother Sara Baillie was found dead.

"She was a beautiful child, as are all children, with a full and promising life ahead of her," Trudeau said Friday.

"I want Calgarians to know that the entire country is with you in grieving her loss and that of her mother, Sara."

• What we know about the man charged with killing Calgary girl and her mother
• Calgary family, police 'devastated' as charges laid in deaths of Taliyah Marsman, mother

"To the family and friends of Sara and Taliyah, I am so deeply sorry for the loss of two people whom you loved and loved you," the prime minister went on to say.

"Families across this country parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings are grieving alongside you, thinking of you, praying for you. I hope you can someday find some peace through your sadness."

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshialso extended his condolences to the families of the homicide victims, saying the "deep hurt" is felt across the city.

"These are tough times, but I think they are also times that remind us that, together, we live in community," he said.

"And the reason that we feel the pain of Taliyah and Sara's loss so deeply is because we understand that we are neighbours and we live together in this community and we are, in fact, in it together."

Trudeau attending Stampede with 'heavy heart'

Trudeau was in Calgary in part to attend the Stampede,an event to which he isno stranger, but Friday's visit markshis first as prime minister.

He flipped flapjacks and watched cowboys at the Genesis Centre Stampede Breakfast in the city's northeast before joining Alberta Premier Rachel Notley to make a funding announcement about the southwest Calgary ring road.

Trudeau tweeted earlier Friday that he would be heading to the city with a "heavy heart" after hearingthat Taliyah's body was discovered late Thursday night.

Edward Downey, 46,has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in their deaths.

Speaking at a Stampede breakfast in northeast Calgary earlier Friday, his seven-year-old daughter Ella-Grace by his side, Trudeaualsoaddressed the deaths.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I want to express our condolences to the families and the people of Calgary for the devastating loss ofTaliyahand her mom Sara," he said.

"I know there were a lot of hearts broken when the news came out and there were so many volunteers and police services involved in trying to help a terrible situation that we all need to take a moment to send our love and hearts out toTaliyahand Sara's family."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair also offered his condolences in the case that he said has "devastated" a Calgary family,and the police officers who worked around the clock.

• Family, police 'devastated' as charges laid in deaths of Calgary girl, mother

Trudeau alsosentcondolencestothe people of France on behalf of allCanadiansaftera man drovea truck loaded with weaponsinto a crowd of people in Nice on Thursday, killing dozens.

"Our hearts go out to all the victims and their families. Canada stands with France as a steadfast ally and we will work with the international community to fight terror and to ensure that we live in a peaceful world."

Southwest ring road funding

The prime ministerplannedto take in some rodeo events in the afternoon.

Trudeauhas been attending the annual event since he was a child. His father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, served as parade marshal in both 1971, months before Justin was born, and 1978.

For the ring road announcement,Trudeau and Notley wasjoined by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Chief Roy Whitney of the Tsuut'ina First Nation, which will partner with real-estate developer Canderel to build three business centres along the road.

The band says the multi-billion-dollar project will have a majorlong-termpositive impact on Calgary and the First Nation.

The southwest portion of the ring road is scheduled to be completed in 2021.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |'His screams were horrible:' Calgary father says of son burnt by tea at Tim Hortons
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Stampede tourist attempted to grab officer's Taser in new arrest video, Calgary police say