Watch above: Alberta Premier Jim Prentice confirms security has been increased at the Legislature, Government House and McDougal Centre. Kendra Slugoski reports.
EDMONTON – Two sheriffs were standing outside the Alberta Legislature to provide extra security shortly after a soldier was shot at the National War Memorial in Ottawa followed by several shootings at Parliament Hill.
A sheriff also told Global News that all public and school tours were cancelled at the Legislature.
The province said it had no reason to believe there was a threat at the Legislature but security would be vigilant and adjusted if necessary.
“Please be advised that we have robust security that includes armed Sheriffs, security instruments and protocols with police of jurisdiction,” said Justice Minister Jonathan Denis.
Denis would not say whether Alberta’s Sergeant-at-Arms is armed.
READ MORE: Canada’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Kevin Vickers, may have shot one of the assailants in Ottawa
Premier Jim Prentice confirmed security at the legislature, Government House, and McDougal Centre in Calgary had been increased.
“The buildings remain functional… We’ve stopped all the tours that are taking place.”
The premier offered his thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the solider shot at the National War Memorial.
“The sight on television of gunfire in teh House of Commons is too disturbing to put into words,” said Prentice.
He added the province was monitoring the events in Ottawa.
Prentice said Ric McIver and Doug Horner were in Ottawa at the time, were in the vicinity, and were possible witnesses.
“They’re safe, we’ve confirmed that,” said Prentice.
CFB Edmonton remained open to the public as usual while soldiers remained vigilant.
“Keeping their eyes peeled for anything that seems out of the ordinary, and that we know and understand that the people of Edmonton love and support our military and really appreciate that especially in times like this,” said Cpt. Donna Riguidel – 3rd Canadian Division Support Base.
“Everybody is just really shocked and stunned by this attack on home soil.”
“We re-evaluate constantly,” she added.
“Our members are very highly trained so they always have that sense of awareness and they are always keeping themselves aware of what’s going on around them,” Riguidel. “So we just ask them to really lean on those senses.”
Watch below: How are Canadian Forces soldiers based in Edmonton reacting to news of the attack in Ottawa? Fletcher Kent finds out.
Two Catholic schools in northwest Edmonton have been put on alert due to the situation. Under the alert, students cannot go outside for recess and doors to the school remain locked.
CFB Cold Lake implemented additional “domestic force protection measures.”
The Edmonton Police Service says it wants all residents to know that their safety is of the utmost importance. The EPS says it has not received any information that leads it to believe there is a threat to public safety in Edmonton.
“We want to reassure Edmontonians that our officers are trained to deal with any threat and respond accordingly,” said Deputy Chief Danielle Campbell of the EPS.
The monitoring of any terrorism activities within the Edmonton area is done by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) with support from the EPS.
There was a moment of silence and a prayer at Edmonton City Hall in response to the Ottawa shootings.
“Our hearts go out, on behalf of Edmontonians, to the family of the soldier who was killed and to our friends in Ottawa who’ve been affected by this tragedy,” said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson.
Security at city hall was normal Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Edmonton International Airport says it hasn’t had a change in security levels, but is “in touch with federal officials on this to see if any change or any new measures are called for.”
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