WINNIPEG – Security was high at government and military sites, flags flew at half-mast and flowers were placed at the Memorial Boulevard cenotaph following the events in Ottawa Wednesday.
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s 17 Wing Winnipeg stepped up security as the country responded to the fatal shooting of an unarmed Canadian soldier who had stood as an honour guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
READ MORE: Ottawa shooting timeline: 10 hours of terror
Traffic was slowed past the Canadian Forces Base on Whytewold Road during the morning rush hour and a military spokesman said delays should be expected.
“As you can appreciate, the Canadian Armed Forces across Canada and here in Winnipeg will continue to follow appropriate protocols in times of heightened security,” Capt. Bettina McCulloch-Drake, a military public affairs officer, said in an email. “These diligent measures will continue to cause delays in areas around 17 Wing for the foreseeable future.”
Military cadets were also affected as the Department of National Defence directed them to stop activities as a precautionary measure.
READ MORE: Cadet and Junior Canadian Ranger activities cancelled nationwide
“While there is no indication that cadets and junior Canadian rangers are at risk themselves, we are taking these precautions to ensure the safety of the youth entrusted in our care,” a statement from the Defence Department said.
“I think it’s a good idea because the terrorists could be in Winnipeg and they could harm the squadron,” said Air Cadet Griffin Schaan.
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The apparent threat to 12-18 year-olds in uniform has parents of air, army, and sea cadets worried.
“I can understand that they want no military personnel or reservists wearing a uniform unless they absolutely have to like on bases, but for children in the cadet program these are 12 to 18 year-olds and you just don’t want them to be a target,” said Shari Rodger, mother of a cadet.
While activities will only be cancelled one week until october 27th, parents are planning beyond that.
“I don’t think she’ll wear her uniform on the street, she’ll take it with her in a bag, change there, and change again before she comes home,” said Rodger.
Security remained high for a second day at the Manitoba Legislative Building, where journalists were asked to show their legislature identification and sign in.
There will be more police stationed at the building in the short term, Premier Greg Selinger said, but he wants to make sure the building remains open and accessible to Manitobans.
“We have to strike a balance,” he said.
READ MORE: Winnipeg reacts to Ottawa shooting
Opposition Leader Brian Pallister, who has served in Ottawa as an MP, said he couldn’t believe what happened in the nation’s capital.
“What it cannot do is cause Manitobans and Canadians who deserve to feel secure and confident in their own homes and communities to live in fear,” he said. “Diligence is the order of the day, condolences is more importantly the order of the day, and frankly, hugging our kids is the order of the day.”
— With files from Tamara Forlanski, Ashley Carter, and Brittany Greenslade
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