Politicians speak out about Ottawa shootings

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen arrive at the National War Memorial Oct. 23 to lay flowers in honour of Corporal Nathan Cirillo.

By Brittany Lane and Lashaina Blair-White

BELLEVILLE –After the tragedy of the shooting, Prime Minister Stephen Harper held a press conference assuring the nation that Canada would not be threatened by terrorist attacks.

Harper addressed the nation hours after the death of a solider who was gunned down at National War Memorial in Ottawa.

“But let there be no misunderstanding — we will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated” said Harper.

Today, Northumberland-Quinte West MP Rick Norlock responded to the tragedy, saying: “During this time, it is equally important to remember the efforts of those who serve our country…Canadians are coming together stronger than ever.”

CTV confirmed the gunman behind Wednesday’s attack was Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a Canadian citizen born in 1982.

Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers shot Zehaf- Bibeau. Vickers released a statement saying he is touched by all the attention he is receiving.  He accredits his team for demonstrating professionalism and courage.

 The soldier killed has been identified as 24-year-old Nathan Cirillo, a reservist from Hamilton, Ont., with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

The soldier’s name was announced late Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after a joint press conference by the RCMP, Ottawa police and Ottawa’s mayor left many unanswered questions about the day’s events that left one other person dead.

Shots were also fired inside the Parliament buildings. Police said later that one shooting suspect was confirmed dead. He has not yet been identified.

Police received several 911 calls at 9:52 a.m. regarding a possible shooting near Parliament Hill, Police Chief Charles Bordeleau told the press conference.

The RCMP said they couldn’t give any more information at that time, but were doing everything they could to protect the public.

At Canadian Forces Base Trenton, reporters and the public were being asked to stay away from the surrounding area. Armed guards were placed at the entrance Wednesday afternoon, according to QNet News reporters on the scene.

Reporters Kate Shumakova and Martin Irvine said security personnel told them to move back as part of an overall lockdown.

The CBC reported that members of the Canadian military have been ordered not to wear their uniforms outside their bases.

The chief administrative officer of Quinte West, Charlie Murphy, said the municipality is cooperating with the OPP and CFB Trenton to monitor the situation closely.

There were no special precautions in place at Quinte West City Hall, he said at 1 p.m. However, he added that the city does have an emergency response plan.

There are four schools at CFB Trenton. At one of them, Breadner Elementary, normal activities were taking place Wednesday but students were not allowed outside, Mandy Savery-Whiteway, head of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, told QNet News reporter Katie Coleman:

Early this afternoon, the Ottawa Hospital said it had received three patients. At the time, two of them were in stable condition.

Shortly after news of the shootings broke, Hastings-Prince Edward MP Daryl Kramp was confirmed by his staff to be safe and in a lockdown in Parliament. The lockdown continued through the afternoon.

Despite reports around noon of another shooting in the Rideau Centre shopping mall, Ottawa police said there were no incidents there.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper  was reported to be safe and secure. The prime minister was expected to make a statement later Wednesday, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

In Washington, the White House offered Canada its support should it be needed, CBC reported.

Meanwhile, the National Hockey League postponed a scheduled game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators that was to be played in Ottawa Wednesday night.

Here at Loyalist College, the Student Success Office sent out an email offering students “dialogue and support sessions.”

Justin Trudeau released a statement expressing his condolences to those who have lost someone due to the attack.

He reminds the nation that Canada is “A proud democracy, a welcoming and peaceful nation, and a country of open arms and open hearts. We are a nation of fairness, justice, and the rule of law.”

The Queen later made a statement saying, “Prince Philip and I were shocked and saddened by the events in Ottawa yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”