OTTAWA —Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says he is not surprised that there are people out there that want to see harm done to their fellow citizens.
The comment comes a day after Ottawa police Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives team detonated a suspicious package Tuesday evening near the Department of Defence Headquarters on Colonel By Drive.
“One should always be vigilant. It almost seems trite to say we live in a new world where there are dangers,” said Toews in a press conference Wednesday. “But I can assure you that our security agencies are very vigilant in trying to determine any possible dangers before they are realized.”
Police closed the Mackenzie King Bridge in both directions Tuesday after receiving the call at 3:30 p.m.ET about a suspicious package at 101 Colonel By Dr.
On Wednesday, Ottawa police confirmed that the suspicious package contained materials that were consistent with elements necessary for an improvised explosive device, but said there was never a danger to the public.
Get daily National news
By 5 p.m. the CBRNE team was on scene to assist with the investigation and police had conducted a “render safe” operation, which means they detonated the suspicious package to make it safe for investigation. Throughout rush hour, Police had asked all motorists and pedestrians to stay away from the area and OC Transpo users were experiencing up to 40-minute delays, with detours on many routes.
The bridge was reopened just after 8 p.m.
No one was injured.
On Wednesday, Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay acknowledged that the package had been detonated but would not comment further on the nature of the package, pending police investigation.
“I don’t want to get into speculation until we get a full picture on what this package was and what was behind it,” said MacKay.
Watch the video below: MacKay comments on suspicious package found at DND
RCMP took over the investigation since the event involved a federal building.
Comments