Parliament Hill attack
CBC News brings you the latest on the Ottawa shootings and the massive police response surrounding Parliament Hill.
CBC News gives you the latest updates from Ottawa following the fatal shootings at the National War Memorial and inside Parliament that threw the city into full police lockdown.






-
Journalists line the Hall of Honour before the daily Speaker's Parade to the House, which is led by Kevin Vickers. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0ouywXIQAAdUez.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 10/23/2014 1:55:00 PM -
-
Applause as Sergeant-at-arms Vickers passes through the halls of Parliament in ceremonial parade.by Catherine Cullen via twitter 10/23/2014 2:04:13 PM
-
-
-
Security checking on bullet damage in hall of honour. #hw http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0piphhIYAA-i4c.jpg
by Rosemary Barton via twitter 10/23/2014 5:45:34 PM -
Gunman hijacked car assigned to Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification: CBC News. #cdnpoli #OttawaShootingby CBC News Alerts via twitter 10/23/2014 5:46:01 PM
-
Ottawa shootings stir up painful memories in Moncton
The Ottawa shootings and lockdown Wednesday stirred up painful memories for several Moncton residents of a similar situation in their city in June that left three Mounties killed and two others injured. -
-
-
Nathan Cirillo's fellow reservists made trip from Hamilton to pay respects to fallen soldier. #ottnews http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0pbkPoIAAACUZ1.jpg
by TrevorGreenway via twitter retweeted by OttawaPolice 10/23/2014 5:55:07 PM -
WATCH LIVE: Muslim groups respond at 2 p.m. ET to #OttawaShooting : cbc.sh/MmcgVlS #ottnews #cdnpoli http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0pl2-ZIQAEzEoj.jpg
by CBC Ottawa via twitter 10/23/2014 5:55:29 PM -
Ottawa shooting: Honouring Cpl. Nathan Cirillo
Flowers, candles, and tokens of remembrance and thanks are piling up at the National War Memorial, where Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot, and at military and government buildings around the country and the world in honour of the 24-year-old reservist killed in the attack Oct. 22, 2014, on Parliament Hill. -
Foreign Affairs: Canadian embassies around world have flags at half-staff to honour deaths of 2 soldiers this week. #cdnpoli #Ottawashootingby CBC News Alerts via twitter 10/23/2014 6:02:45 PM
-
LIVE | Coalition of Ottawa Muslim groups speaks about this week's deadly attacks. Watch here: cbc.ca/1.2810489 @NCCM @CCMWCanadaby CBC Ottawa via twitter 10/23/2014 6:02:49 PM
-
-
Security questions remain in aftermath of Ottawa shootings
SoundCloudSecurity questions remain in the aftermath of yesterday's shootings in Ottawa. A reservist from Hamilton was shot and killed at the National War Memorial before a gunman fired shots inside Parliament. -
Ottawa shooting: Muslim groups fear angry response from public
Muslim groups condemn the pair of deadly attacks this week, but some worry angry residents will look to take out their frustration on innocent Muslim-Canadians. -
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo's partner chased gunman: military source
The Hamilton reservist standing guard alongside Nathan Cirillo briefly chased the attacker, before returning to the National War Memorial to try and revive his wounded friend. A family member says the gunman shot him from behind. -
-
Nurse who treated soldier shot says she will not be fearful after what happened. She walked same route past war memorial today #cbcottOct. 23, 2014
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Lerhe says other memorial guard took control & told her how to treat soldier. She's amazed by team of bystanders who helped #cbcOTT #ottnewsOct. 23, 2014- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Nurse who performed CPR on soldier shot came from military family,saddened by loss of Nathan Cirillo #cbcott #ottnews http://t.co/jKoacOOo0DOct. 23, 2014- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
From CBC's Erin Collins: "The Salvation Army in Vancouver confirms that Michael Zehaf-Bibeau stayed at the organization's Beacon shelter on and off in the past. They do not believe that he stayed at their shelter in Calgary. They say they can not give specific dates as they are currently in the process of co-operating with the police in their investigation."
-
-
From Kirk Williams at CBC Vancouver:
"People at the Masjid Al-Salaam & Education Centre remember Michael Zehaf-Bibeau by name from 2011. He was quite rude and seemed to have a problem with non-Muslims coming to the mosque. The centre is a multi-faith facility. The chair of the mosque sat him down and said this was unacceptable and was not welcome. Shortly there after he went to Montreal. Then 3-4 months ago they found him sleeping in the mosque...this was a locked building and he either stole a key or gained entry some other way. He was kicked out and all the locks had to be changed." -
From Susan Burgess at CBC Ottawa:
"I just spoke with retired major Michael Pilon, the former military dentist who pushed for guards at the National War Memorial several years ago after incidents of vandalism. Pilon doesn't want to see the sentries removed. He's spoken to many who have been selected for the job and says they are very honoured to be chosen. He's suggesting bulletproof vests might be in order." -
- Canadian Press
Those familiar with the Parliament Hill gunman in his final days say he was angry about failing to get a passport and struggled with drug addiction.
Norman LeBlanc, a 60-year-old former truck driver who frequents the downtown Ottawa shelter where Michael Zehaf Bibeau was bunking, says he so angered some of the men at the facility that there was almost a fight in recent days.
LeBlanc says Zehaf Bibeau ranted at length about how much he hated Canada, and was furious about having failed to get a passport in order to leave.
He says the griping almost prompted some of other men at the mission to take Zehaf Bibeau outside and beat him up.
Others at the mission say that following the shooting Wednesday, police descended upon the shelter and removed a duffel bag from Zehaf Bibeau's locker that was so heavy it required two men to haul
it outside.
Zehaf Bibeau, who told people he had come to Ottawa from Vancouver to secure a passport, often prayed with two Somali men in the shelter in an east-facing window in accordance with the Muslim
faith. - Canadian Press
-
Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered the following remarks in the House of Commons on Thursday:
“Thank you, colleagues.“Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin today by recognizing and thanking the Leader of the Opposition and the Honourable Member for Papineau for their kind remarks and words of encouragement yesterday evening.
“Mr. Speaker, in our system, in our country, we are opponents but we are never enemies.
“We are Canadians, one and all.
“We may be across the aisle from one another, but when faced with attacks on the country we all love and the things we all stand for, I know we will always stand together.
“Mr. Speaker, today more than ever before, I’m quite pleased to see all of my colleagues from all parties in good health and good form.“Let me just maybe use that Mr. Speaker, through you, to provide a little bit of advice to my colleagues.
“I think my position and a growing number of grey hairs entitles me to do this once in a while, and that is just to say, we all here are engaged in extremely demanding and stressful jobs.
“But the stress that many of you faced yesterday was really beyond and above anything that any of us are really expecting to face.
“I would just say while we resume our duties, and I'll talk about that in a moment, I would encourage everybody here to take care of their health.
“Be sure that you find some time to relax in the next little while, and also if any of you – because we are not all in perfect health – if any of you are experiencing any undue physical stress as a result of what occurred yesterday, please take the time to see a physician and get that checked out.
“I also just want to say to Canadians – we heard a lot of feedback from Canadians yesterday.
“We are all used to the feedback we get very regularly from Canadians.
“Much of it in the form of brick bats, and some of it deserved.
“But in this case, Mr. Speaker, I think we all experienced the tremendous outpouring of warmth and affection and good wishes from people across the country and we thank them, all of us here.
“I just also want to convey all the good wishes that I heard personally, not just from Canadians but from our friends outside the country.“I heard from President Obama, from Prime Minister Abbott, from Prime Minister Netanyahu, through a statement from Prime Minister Cameron.
“We've heard these expressions across the world.
“I think we were all, as Canadians, touched by the wonderful gesture shown last night at the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game.
“So thank you to our friends in the United States and around the world.
“Of course, Mr. Speaker, we know all too well this is not a happy day for everybody.
“In particular, a terribly sad day for all of the family, loved ones, friends, colleagues of both Nathan Cirillo and Patrice Vincent.
“We have seen photos of these lovely men.
“We've all seen the pictures of these beautiful guys, as Don Cherry would say, and our hearts really are with all of them.
“We are so fortunate to have people like this.
“The past couple of decades has, you know, we see across the world, increasing places where the planet is descending into savagery and there are people who every day of their lives stand on guard for this country and for all of us, and we obviously want to convey our gratitude to these two servicemen and their families, but also to all the people who undertake this extremely dangerous work.
“Mr. Speaker, I spoke of the state of much of the world and I think for all of us who are blessed to live in a country like this, it is hard to appreciate, understand, fathom how we can have people who so despise, are involved in a movement who so want violence, who so despise modernity, who so hate progress, that they can desire to drive out medical workers from their community, harm them, how they can enslave women, torture children.“How they can kill, want to kill anyone who looks or thinks different than them.
“It is in a sense, Mr. Speaker, beyond our comprehension but it is very real and in this struggle in which we are engaged, in which not only our finest values must be put to work, so must be and will be the highest unity and resolve.
“They are our ultimate and indispensible weapons and that's what these people will face.
“Mr. Speaker, with regard to the events of yesterday and in recent days, a number of questions remain and will all be answered over the course of the police security investigations.
“But I can tell the House this today: the objective of both of those attacks was to spread fear and panic in our country and to interrupt the business of government.
“Well, Honourable Members, as I said yesterday, Canadians will never be intimidated.
“We will be vigilant but we will not run scared.
“We will be prudent but we will not panic.
“And as for the business of government, well, here we are, in our seats, in our chamber in the very heart of our democracy and our work.
“Mr. Speaker, in all its diversity of peoples and opinions, this House personifies the spirit of Canada.
“Canada will never yield to terrorism and neither will this House of Commons.
“We carry on.
“We will attend to the country's affairs and we will be faithful to the trust that people have placed in us.
“Now, Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier and I have been saying for a long time, we live in dangerous world.
“Terrorism has been here with us for a while and dangerously close on a number of occasions.
“I speak for example, I draw our members’ attention back to incidents such as the Toronto 18, the Via Rail conspiracy in 2013, and I could point to a number of others as well as many that most will never know about.
“For that reason and with the belief and security that Canada is the government's primary responsibility, we have over the years passed such legislation as the Combating Terrorism Act and the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act to better protectCanadians and secure institutions.
“Last week, our Government proposed amendments to the legislation under which the Canadian Security Intelligence Service operates.
“And as you know, Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks I've been saying that our laws and police powers need to be strengthened in the area of surveillance, attention and arrest.
“They need to be much strengthened and I assure you, Mr. Speaker, that work which is already underway will be expedited.
“In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, we're all aware and deeply troubled that both of this week's terrorist attacks were carried out byCanadian citizens, by young men born and raised in this peaceful country.
“I share this concern, and I have to ask myself what sort of feeble-mindedness could lead a person to reject a nationality that so many people in so many countries would do anything to earn for their children.
“That is a question for another day.
“For now, make no mistake, even as the brave men and women of our Armed Forces are taking this fight to the terrorists on their own territory, we are equally revolved to fight it here.
“We live in dangerous times, yes, but the mission of our country and the work of this Parliament goes on.
“And so does the work throughout this city.
“Let me just say one final word, in recognizing all of the heroics of yesterday.
“First of all, I know so many – I could certainly speak personally to my staff at 24 Sussex – Mr. Roger Charbonneau, the chefs, Tim and Tina, who were up all night.
“But I know people who for all of us across the country and here in Ottawa were working day and night to make things as easy as possible.
“Officials who were busy at work trying to respond to the situation, first responders and citizens who put themselves in harm's way when this incident began to unfold.
“But obviously, Mr. Speaker, and in conclusion most particularly the men and women of our security services, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Armed Forces, the City of Ottawa Police and most particularly, of course, Mr. Speaker, I would be very remiss if I did not conclude in acknowledging specifically the work of the security forces here on Parliament and the great work of our Sergeant-at-Arms.”
-
DND order: Cdn Forces members across country not to wear uniforms when travelling to and from work on bases. #Ottawashooting #cdnpoliby CBC News Alerts via twitter 10/23/2014 7:18:44 PM
-
-
Why is the Premier of BC dodging the question of if the legislature in BC had received a security briefing to increase security in the days before the attack? Why is NBC news in the US reporting that there were warning signs or something that alerted US officials to a threat coming in Canada. Why isn't the CBC digging into these apparent leads?
A curious citizenat 3:12 PM
Ottawa shooting: B.C. Premier Christy Clark remains quiet on warning
B.C. Premier Christy Clark is refusing to reveal details about a security tip she and other members of the Legislature received in the days leading up to yesterday's shooting in Ottawa.Ottawa attack: 5 questions about the shootings on Parliament Hill
While it will no doubt take some time to piece together what led to Wednesday's shooting in Ottawa, here are five pointed questions that need to be answered. -
Here's a sampling of comments to the live blog:
How ironic that such a violent act has brought civility and respect to the House of Commons
BSmithat 3:01 PM
Condolences to the family of Cpl Cirillo. A sad day for Canada and the free world. The craziness of violent extremism can happen anywhere, and our soldiers and law enforcement often times take the brunt of it. Stay Strong, Canada!
Mark C- Norhtern Michiganat 2:47 PM
I think the people who rushed to Mr.Cirillo's aid with the shooter still at large are not being given enough credit. Mr.Vickers was brave but that was his job unlike the people who tried to help
came0023at 3:23 PM
-
Northerners call Ottawa shooting 'surreal'
It was business as usual on Parliament Hill Wednesday morning, 'then all of a sudden … there was a number of noises, which obviously you realize is gunfire," says Yukon Senator Dan Lang, who was in a caucus meeting when shots were fired in the Centre Block of Parliament Hill. -
Another extraordinary day in the nation's capital. How Ottawa, Cda & beyond react to yesterday's attack and the what next.On @CBCWorldatSixby Susan Bonner via twitter 10/23/2014 7:26:47 PM
-
Listen: Call of the Day: Boston runner grieves Ottawa attacks cbc.ca/player/AudioMo…by Ontario Today via twitter 10/23/2014 7:27:19 PM
-
Ottawa shootings stir up painful memories in Moncton
The Ottawa shootings and lockdown Wednesday stirred up painful memories for several Moncton residents of a similar situation in their city in June that left three Mounties killed and two others injured. -
House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer made this statement on Thursday:
Good afternoon.
At this time I would like to provide a brief update to reassure all Parliamentarians, and everyone in our parliamentary community.
Yesterday I had regular meetings with the Sergeant at arms and the Director General of security services to receive reports as the situation unfolded. Today I have asked for thorough reports, which I will share with the Board of Internal Economy on measures to ensure the continued safety of the parliamentary precinct.
This morning, I convened a meeting with party whips to offer a full briefing such that they may update their Members. I will also contact Independent Members over the course of the day.
I have also taken additional steps to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation into yesterday’s events.
Parliament is closed to visitors today and tours have been cancelled. However, I have stressed that these must be temporary measures. Parliament must remain an institution that is both open and secure.
Access to the grounds of Parliament Hill will be controlled and I ask that all employees ensure their IDs are visible at all times. I have also asked for a review of screening protocols and will report the results to the Board as well.
I have also ensured that my officials make resources available through the Employee Assistance Program to those staff that may need additional support coping with yesterday's tragic events.
Finally, I will be ordering a comprehensive review of all actions that were taken yesterday – examining our security systems and procedures, identifying what worked, and making improvements where necessary.
Members will ask -- indeed Canadians will ask -- how this came to occur and what specifically will be done to prevent future occurrences. These are legitimate questions and they require comprehensive answers. I resolve to work with the leadership of all parties, and indeed all Members, to ensure that the House obtains answers to these vital and important questions.
I would just like to briefly echo the sentiments that were expressed this morning. Specifically thanking the brave men and women of our House of Commons security forces, the RCMP and the Ottawa Police.
Our thoughts are also with Constable Son who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. Thankfully, I can report that he is in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.
And of course, our own Kevin Vickers. On behalf of all members, I add my voice of thanks for his bravery and courage.
We will continue to provide updates where appropriate in the days to come.
Thank you. -
Ottawa shooting: Miramichi 'very proud' of Kevin Vickers
House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers was hailed as a hero by MPs for stopping an assailant who killed a Canadian Forces member on Wednesday, a sentiment that was widely shared in his hometown of Miramichi. -
Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina tells CBC News how the city is mourning the loss of the 24-year-old reservist Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
by CBC News via YouTube 10/23/2014 7:34:57 PM -
Listen to Jian Ghomeshi's essay a day after the horrifying Ottawa attack: "Let us not forget the feeling of Oct 22."
by CBC News via YouTube 10/23/2014 7:35:57 PM -
News conference with RCMP Commissioner and Ottawa Police Chief set to begin any moment now. Awaiting more information on #ottawashooting.by Kristy Kirkup via twitter 10/23/2014 7:36:49 PM
-
There is a small technical issue at the RCMP/Ottawa Police news conference, which is causing a delay. #ottawashooting #cdnpoli #ottnewsby Kristy Kirkup via twitter 10/23/2014 7:40:14 PM
-
-
A lasting impression on the wall outside a committee/caucus room. #hw http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0p-SgUIcAAQKIF.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 10/23/2014 7:41:06 PM -
by Kristy Kirkup via twitter 10/23/2014 7:42:22 PM
-
Bordealeau: OTtawa police say Ottawa is a safe city. /hwby Rosemary Barton via twitter 10/23/2014 7:42:47 PM