WATCH: The anxiety and fear was highest in Ottawa, but at military facilities and government buildings across the country were on alert. Police are warning everyone to be vigilant. Robin Gill reports.
TORONTO – Several government buildings across Canada were placed on lockdown following three separate shooting incidents in Ottawa.
Parliament Hill and several buildings in and around the Ottawa area were put on lockdown after at least one gunman opened fire at the War Memorial and inside the Hill.
All buildings in Ottawa’s downtown core were placed under mandatory police lockdown. Schools in the area, including University of Ottawa were also placed on lockdown or a hold and secure procedure.
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The U.S. Embassy in the nation’s capital was also placed in lockdown. All Canadian Forces bases were closed to public Wednesday morning.
Several government buildings elsewhere in the country were also closed to the public and or placed on lockdown.
In Halifax, security was increased at the Nova Scotia legislature and the building was locked down.
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At the New Brunswick legislature in Fredericton, the sergeant-at-arms ordered that legislative assembly buildings be closed to the public.
Security increased at Quebec’s legislative buildings and the visitors’ entrance is closed to the parliament buildings and public library.
Montreal City Hall is also closed to visitors and there’s an increased police presence outside of the building.
B.C.’s Legislature in Victoria was placed under lockdown.
Security was heightened at the Manitoba Legislative building, however, the building was not placed under a lockdown.
Saskatoon City Hall remained opened Wednesday but authorities are reviewing security measures.
Police officers are also stationed outside of the building for the remainder of the day.
Alberta Legislature continued with proceedings but public and school tours were cancelled.
Security has also been increased on transit systems in major cities across Canada.
The Toronto Transit Commission issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying it has implemented heightened security across the entire transit system following the “tragic events this morning in Ottawa.”
The public transit system also said riders can “expect to see increased visibility of transit enforcement officers and Toronto Police on subway trains and in subway stations.”
B.C. Transit Police said it is also stepping up security measures and “will be extra vigilant in preserving the safety of the transit system for all.”
More buildings, events closed or under lockdown:
- The Rideau Centre, a shopping mall in downtown Ottawa, was also under lockdown after reports shots fired near the mall. The lockdown has since been lifted and police clarified that an incident did not occur near the Rideau Centre.
- Ottawa arts centre was also placed under lockdown.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs, who are in Ottawa to play the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre, were also placed in hold and secure. The game was officially postponed Wednesday afternoon.
- Proceedings at the Ontario legislature continued as scheduled but remained under heightened security.
- Ottawa police buildings are under lockdown and closed to the public.
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