The Canadian Parliament was placed under lockdown Saturday after a man barricaded himself in the East Block, prompting an emergency response from the Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa police.
A heavy police presence quickly reached Parliament Hill and a large section of Wellington Street, which runs in front of the complex, was cordoned off. “A barricaded man is in the area of East Block,” police confirmed in a social media post, adding there were no injuries reported.
The incident comes while Parliament is not in session, with the country currently in the midst of a federal election campaign.
Ottawa police Inspector Mark Bouwmeester later told reporters the man “gained unauthorised access” to Parliament Hill’s East Block and that “the circumstances of this incident are considered suspicious.” But he gave few details about what was happening inside.
“We’re currently in contact with the individual and our priority is to resolve this situation peacefully,” he said. “At this time there is no known injuries and we believe that the man is the only person inside the building.”
Police would not say whether the man was believed to be armed or whether he had made threats.
Law enforcement sources told Global News the situation is under control but emphasized the lockdown remains in place as a precaution. Police are treating it as a “potential worst-case scenario” to ensure public safety.
Road closures remain active on Wellington Street between Bank Street and Sussex Drive as the investigation continues.
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