The B.C. legislature held a moment of silence this afternoon in memory of the Canadian military reservist who was killed in Ottawa.
“I’m shocked by the events that have unfolded in our nation’s capital,” Premier Christy Clark said in a speech to the House. “None of us are unaffected by this. We should remember today how much gratitude we owe to law enforcement in this country who stand and work so hard to keep us safe all the time, every day, most often without thanks, willingly putting themselves in harm’s way, as some have already done today.”
Clark told reporters that there will be a full security review of the B.C. legislature to determine if any added precautions need to be put in place.
B.C. NDP leader John Horgan called today a tragic day in Canadian history.
He said while the shooting will no doubt lead to a review of security measures at legislative buildings across the country, he wouldn’t want to see the kind of measures that shut out members of the public.
“As we reflect upon the loss of life today and the loss of innocence of our country, I think our democratic institutions must be open and accessible to [the public],” Horgan said.
“They need to have access to these institutions if we are going to continue to be defiant in the face of the insanity that happened today in Ottawa.”
Public Safety Minister Suzanne Anton said it will be up to the House speaker to decide if special constables working in the legislature should carry firearms.
Times Colonist
