Watch above: One week ago, MPs were barricaded in their caucus rooms in Parliament, fearing for their lives after a gunman stormed Centre Block. They were back to business today, but with a lingering sense that things have changed. Vassy Kapelos reports.
OTTAWA – The commanding officer in charge of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa says soldiers who watch over the National War Memorial should not carry loaded guns – even in the wake of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo’s death.
Maj. Michel Lavigne says soldiers have not been armed with real bullets since the October crisis in 1970 – and they shouldn’t do it now.
“It is not the role of the Canadian Forces to be armed on the streets of Ottawa,” Lavigne said in an interview.
WATCH ABOVE: The heartfelt memories shared at the funeral for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, killed while standing guard at Ottawa’s National War Memorial, focused on the 24-year-old’s bravery and sacrifice for his country. Mike Drolet reports.
While law enforcement agencies are discussing how to better protect soldiers, Lavigne says real bullets would not have saved Cirillo, who was shot twice from behind by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau.
“Even if the guy had come from up front, unless he displayed his weapon from far, you only have so much time to react,” Lavigne said.
Cirillo, who stood alongside his friend and fellow Hamilton, Ont. reservist Cpl. Branden Stevenson, carried a rifle without bullets.
He had only been on guard for a couple of days, as part of a reduced unit of 25 soldiers from Hamilton, Toronto, and New Brunswick.
Armed Ottawa police officers are now providing security at the downtown site, which is outside of the Forces’ jurisdiction.
“Our bosses will be talking to local law enforcement agencies to see what…are the measures we need to put in place for the future,” Lavigne said.
“Personally, I don’t see (armed soldiers) happening in Canada.”
READ MORE: Cpl. Nathan Cirillo laid to rest in Hamilton
A spokesman for the Department of National Defence said arming soldiers is “not an option.”
“They won’t be armed,” Lieut. Kirk Sullivan said.
“They’re ceremonial guard. I know that keeps getting repeated, but that’s exactly what they are – they’re there for ceremonial purposes only.”
Justice Minister Peter MacKay wouldn’t comment when asked about arming soldiers on Wednesday.
“You know what? I have my own personal views on that, but I think it’s a decision for the leadership of the Canadian Armed Forces, and I think they’re examining that,” MacKay said.
WATCH: Prime Minister Harper delivers eulogy at Corporal Cirillo’s funeral
This year marked the first time that soldiers have stood guard at the memorial past Labour Day.
Since 2007, two soldiers on hour-long shifts have watched over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the memorial, which honours the service and sacrifice of Canada’s armed forces.
In previous years, the guard would have ended in late August. But this year the Conservative government extended the National Sentry Program until November 10 to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
It’s all part of the government’s special commemoration program that is set to run between 2014 and 2020.
‘Standing where one of their own fell’
Lavigne says the incident is “tragic,” but we cannot dwell on the “what ifs.”
“You are aware of what’s going around the world and that it could hit you, but can you plan for everything all the time? I argue not,” he said.
“Otherwise we’ll put a bulletproof dome over the war memorial so it never happens again.”
READ MORE: RCMP say Ottawa gunman made video of himself before the attack
What’s most important, Lavigne said, is for members to continue their work.
And last Friday, soldiers returned to their guard.
“In the military what helps a soldier grieve and deal with what’s happened is to go back to what he was doing,” he said.
He said he expects Stevenson to resume his work sometime before the program wraps up in the next couple weeks.
“This incident, undoubtedly, makes it that much more difficult. The soldiers are standing where one of their own fell.”
The tomb was instituted in 2000 when the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in the First World War were repatriated from France.
It represents the more than 116,000 Canadians who sacrificed their lives for Canada.
“I always tell the soldiers that go there, who knows, the guy in that tomb could be one of the members of your regiment,” Lavigne said.
As for Cirillo: “He’s now meeting the one he was guarding.”
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