Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty addresses reporters at a news conference at the simulation centre at Health Sciences North Sudbury Outpatient Centre in Sudbury, Ont. on Thursday, November 15, 2012. (JOHN LAPPA/QMI AGENCY)

TORONTO - Premier Dalton McGuinty expressed his grief over the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., in a statement released Sunday addressing school safety in Ontario.

"Our hearts are heavy with sadness for the Sandy Hook community and we stand with them as they try to cope with an unimaginable grief," his statement read.

The small Connecticut town saw 20 elementary school children and six faculty mowed down by a gunman on Friday. The victims were inside Sandy Hook Elementary School when the gunman -- who later killed himself -- forced his way into the school and opened fire.