MONTREAL — Security measures in Montreal and Quebec have been increased at municipal, provincial and federal buildings following the shootings in Ottawa on Wednesday.
As a precaution, Montreal City Hall has been closed to visitors and there is an increased police presence outside the building.
At the National Assembly in Quebec City, the number of security officers on patrol has been increased, including additional support from the Sûreté du Québec.
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Director of security for the province’s legislative buildings, Yves Bouchard, confirmed that the visitors’ entrances to the parliament buildings and the library have also been temporarily closed and outside traffic has been restricted.
Security at the Saint-Jean Garrison in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec has also been heightened. Military police are are posted at the gate, vehicles are being searched on entry and identification cards are being checked.
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Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport would not confirm whether additional security had been put in place after events in Ottawa, but at noon, there was no visible heightened security measures.
Premier Philippe Couillard said Wednesday that Quebecers must not give in to acts of violence.
“Our democratic society refuses to cave before such blind acts of violence,” he said.
“Our society will use all the means at its disposal to fight this threat.
Together, Mr. Speaker, we proclaim once again our unshakeable attachment to the freedoms that we will never place in the hands of anyone other than our democratically elected parliamentarians and citizens of Quebec.”
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