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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: Jon Kelly, BBC News, Ottawa | At the scene: Jon Kelly, BBC News, Ottawa |
Rows of squad cars blocked the National War Memorial, where a gunman shot and killed a soldier before rampaging through the parliament building. | Rows of squad cars blocked the National War Memorial, where a gunman shot and killed a soldier before rampaging through the parliament building. |
By the standards of most western cities, these security measures appeared restrained in the wake of a deadly attack. | By the standards of most western cities, these security measures appeared restrained in the wake of a deadly attack. |
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. | 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. |
Can Canada preserve its openness? | Can Canada preserve its openness? |
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 suspect | The shooting suspect |
The suspect: A trail of petty crime | The 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 Mr Vickers, 58, whom MPs applauded for several minutes on Thursday when parliament reopened. | The gunman was shot dead by Mr Vickers, 58, whom MPs applauded for several minutes on Thursday when parliament reopened. |
He said he was "very touched by the attention". | 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." | "During extraordinary circumstances, security personnel demonstrated professionalism and courage. I am grateful and proud to be part of this team." |
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. |