Terrorism act at Parliament creates concern over visiting student and MPs

Although the shootings last Wednesday in Ottawa that killed a reservist standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a siege inside the Parliament Buildings nearby resulting in the death of the lone gunman responsible, were thousands of miles away, they nevertheless affected everyone in local communities here at home.

Everywhere people talking together were discussing the terrible incidents of that day, reported almost constantly over the news channels and social media. But locally, there were other issues of concern that arose.

Vegreville-Wainwright MP Leon Benoit’s interview is included in this edition. Benoit stated that around noon Ottawa time, “There was a flurry of shots right outside the caucus door.” Initially frightened, a feeling of calm came over him and “there actually were a lot of cool heads in the room.”

There was concern in Tofield for one student who was one of seven in Battle River School Division attending an Encounters with Canada tour in Ottawa, which included visiting the War Memorial and Parliament.

For more see the Oct. 28/14 issue of the Tofield Mercury