UPDATE: CBSA tip led to Saturday’s Parliament Hill shutdown, investigation into ‘suspicious incident’
Posted Jun 12, 2022 06:05:00 PM.
It was a tip from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) that prompted Saturday’s lockdown of Parliament Hill as police were investigating a “suspicious incident.”
A source with knowledge of the situation tells CityNews that the CBSA tipped off police about potential explosives, which led to the police action that happened yesterday afternoon.
Parliament Hill was shutdown around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, and those inside Parliament buildings were told to “shelter in place.”
At the time, police confirmed they were investigating a “suspicious incident.”
And while the threat had not been identified, however, two vehicles of interest and two persons of interest were located, police said in a news release.
There was no confirmation on arrests or charges.
Meanwhile, the RCMP released its own statement:
“We can confirm that there is no threat to the citizens of Ottawa or Parliament Hill at this time. For privacy and operational reasons, the RCMP does not confirm, deny, or release information relating to criminal investigations until charges are laid. Only when an investigation results in criminal charges, would the RCMP confirm its investigation, the nature of any charges laid and the identity of the individual(s) involved.”
Parliament Hill has since reopened to the public.
Former Ottawa police chief and current Senator Vernon White told The Rob Snow Show on Monday, June 13 that while the way police agencies responded to the incident in a timely and appropriate manner, it's always disturbing and concerning when these types of instances occur.
Senator White has long highlighted why vehicle access needs to be blocked in areas directly near Parliament Hill.
“It just shows you how vulnerable that part of the city is,” he said. “At the end of the day, there's the inability to protect vital infrastructure.”
White said there needs to be a secure buffer zone in front of Wellington Street that faces Parliament Hill.
“We need zero access,” he added. “It's ridiculous that we continue to allow access, and as long as we don't have a buffer, Parliament Hill will be a threat.”
Listen to the full interview with Senator Vernon White below:
