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Ottawa shootings: Canada to toughen terror laws Ottawa shootings: Canada to toughen terror laws
(35 minutes later)
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has vowed to strengthen the nation's terror laws one day after a gunman rampaged through parliament.Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has vowed to strengthen the nation's terror laws one day after a gunman rampaged through parliament.
The leader said plans would be expedited to give more powers to surveillance and security agencies.The leader said plans would be expedited to give more powers to surveillance and security agencies.
On Wednesday, a reported Muslim convert shot a soldier at an Ottawa war memorial before attacking parliament.On Wednesday, a reported Muslim convert shot a soldier at an Ottawa war memorial before attacking parliament.
He was killed by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, who was greeted to a standing ovation on Thursday for his efforts.He was killed by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, who was greeted to a standing ovation on Thursday for his efforts.
It was the second attack on Canada's military in three days.It was the second attack on Canada's military in three days.
Standing to address the MPs to warm applause, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first words were: "I know we will always stand together."Standing to address the MPs to warm applause, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first words were: "I know we will always stand together."
The objective of the attacks was to instil fear and panic in Canada, he said.The objective of the attacks was to instil fear and panic in Canada, he said.
But he vowed to expedite security measures to toughen powers of surveillance and detention.But he vowed to expedite security measures to toughen powers of surveillance and detention.
"They need to be much strengthened, and I assure you, Mr Speaker, that work which is already under way will be expedited," Mr Harper said."They need to be much strengthened, and I assure you, Mr Speaker, that work which is already under way will be expedited," Mr Harper said.
"We will be vigilant, but we will not run scared. We will be prudent, but we will not panic," he added."We will be vigilant, but we will not run scared. We will be prudent, but we will not panic," he added.
On Monday, another soldier was killed in a hit-and-run in the province of Quebec.On Monday, another soldier was killed in a hit-and-run in the province of Quebec.
Mr Harper described the perpetrator, who was shot dead, as an "ISIL-inspired terrorist".Mr Harper described the perpetrator, who was shot dead, as an "ISIL-inspired terrorist".
Canada recently announced plans to join the US-led campaign of air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq but no link to IS or the new military campaign has been confirmed by police investigating the latest attack.Canada recently announced plans to join the US-led campaign of air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq but no link to IS or the new military campaign has been confirmed by police investigating the latest attack.
At the scene: Samira Hussain, BBC News, Ottawa At the scene: Jon Kelly, BBC News, Ottawa
It's surprising to see what is normally a busy intersection, free of any traffic. The National War Memorial is just steps from the Parliament building and just a few blocks from a shopping centre. Rows of squad cars blocked the National War Memorial, where a gunman shot and killed a soldier before rampaging through the parliament building.
It's a major thoroughfare for cars, trucks and busses. But you couldn't tell today. The loudest sound is the hum from a police truck. By the standards of most western cities, these security measures appeared restrained in the wake of a deadly attack.
The memorial pays tribute to any Canadian soldier that has died. There's been a steady stream of people making their way to this monument, laying flowers and wreaths. To pay their respects for a soldier who died in this same spot, only a day earlier. But in a nation where the openness of political institutions is a deeply-cherished article of faith, they were a sign that something was out of the ordinary.
Even with dozens of local and internationally media milling about, everyone has adopted hushed tones. A recognition that while there is a news story to tell, this has become a place for Canadians to mourn what has been lost. Can Canada preserve its openness?
Yes, the life of a soldier on Canadian soil, but what many are also mourning is Canada's loss of innocence. There is no doubt this attack will change this country. And no one here can tell what that change will look like.
The gunman was reportedly a Muslim convert named Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who was on a Canadian watchlist.The gunman was reportedly a Muslim convert named Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who was on a Canadian watchlist.
His mother Susan Bibeau earlier told the Associated Press news agency she is crying for the victims of the shooting, not her son.His mother Susan Bibeau earlier told the Associated Press news agency she is crying for the victims of the shooting, not her son.
"[He] was lost and did not fit in," she later wrote in a statement. "I his mother spoke with him last week over lunch, I had not seen him for over five years before that.""[He] was lost and did not fit in," she later wrote in a statement. "I his mother spoke with him last week over lunch, I had not seen him for over five years before that."
No words could express her sadness, she added. "We also wish to apologise for all the pain, fright and chaos [Zehaf-Bibeau] created. We have no explanation to offer."No words could express her sadness, she added. "We also wish to apologise for all the pain, fright and chaos [Zehaf-Bibeau] created. We have no explanation to offer."
The shooting suspectThe shooting suspect
The suspect: A trail of petty crimeThe suspect: A trail of petty crime
The heart of Canada's capital city had been in lockdown after the attack as police combed the streets looking for another gunman.The heart of Canada's capital city had been in lockdown after the attack as police combed the streets looking for another gunman.
But police said on Thursday that they believed there was only one assailant.But police said on Thursday that they believed there was only one assailant.
The attack began on Wednesday morning, as two soldiers guarding the memorial came under fire from a man carrying a rifle.The attack began on Wednesday morning, as two soldiers guarding the memorial came under fire from a man carrying a rifle.
One soldier, Cpl Nathan Cirillo, died of his injuries. Three other people were treated in hospital and released by evening.One soldier, Cpl Nathan Cirillo, died of his injuries. Three other people were treated in hospital and released by evening.
Minutes after the attack at the memorial, dozens of shots were fired inside the parliament building.Minutes after the attack at the memorial, dozens of shots were fired inside the parliament building.
The gunman was shot dead by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, 58. The gunman was shot dead by Mr Vickers, 58, whom MPs applauded for several minutes on Thursday when parliament reopened.
MPs applauded Mr Vickers for several minutes on Thursday, banging on their desks in support and appreciation of his service and actions a day prior. He said he was "very touched by the attention".
"During extraordinary circumstances, security personnel demonstrated professionalism and courage. I am grateful and proud to be part of this team."
Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, had apparently been designated a high-risk traveller and had his passport taken away because of suspected jihadist sympathies.Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, had apparently been designated a high-risk traveller and had his passport taken away because of suspected jihadist sympathies.
A Twitter user who posted an image purporting to show Zehaf-Bibeau said it had come from an IS-linked account.A Twitter user who posted an image purporting to show Zehaf-Bibeau said it had come from an IS-linked account.
Are you in Ottawa? Were you affected by the events yesterday? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Ottawa? Were you affected by the events yesterday? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.