An RCMP vehicle was parked by the legislative assembly Wednesday afternoon. Police have not confirmed whether it was part of increased security measures. - Randi Beers/NNSL photo |
Legislative assembly steps up security
Sergeant-at-arms calls Wednesday's events in Ottawa a 'wake up call'
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Published Friday, October 24, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The events in Ottawa Wednesday were a wake up call for all government legislatures in Canada.
That's according to the sergeant-at-arms at the NWT legislative assembly Brian Thagard.
He said Wednesday's fatal shootings in the nation's capital had him, his staff and everyone who works at the legislature building glued to the television coverage and on the edge of their seats.
"I had a meeting with Tim Mercer, the clerk of the legislative assembly, within about 15 minutes of finding out what was going on in Ottawa," said Thagard. "We immediately stepped up our security and began a close monitoring of the public's access to the building."
The days of thinking that it's never going to happen here are obviously over, said Thagard.
"We thought something like this wouldn't likely occur here in Canada, but now that it has, we must take the threat very seriously and increase our vigilance, even in Yellowknife," he said.
The public's perception of the role of the sergeant-at-arms also changed after House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers was hailed as a hero for stopping an assailant who had earlier killed a Canadian Forces member at the National War Memorial, not far from the Parliament Buildings.
Vickers was among several security members and police who reportedly shot and killed the man. He was shown on video inside the Parliament Buildings carrying a handgun. Vickers is a former RCMP officer who worked for the Mounties for about eight years in the NWT.
"It's not just a ceremonial position. You are ultimately responsible for the safety of those in the building," said Thagard.
"I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Vickers and I have the utmost respect for him and what he did. He was in a very difficult position but his response was not unexpected. He was able to meet and match that assailant's level of force."
When asked whether he has a loaded weapon on site at the legislative assembly, Thagard replied: "no comment."
He did say, however, that security staff at the assembly work closely with RCMP. Thagard said he didn't want to give away many details but said the Mounties' presence at the assembly building has increased during this latest sitting.
"They are not always visible. They don't always want the public to know that they are there," Thagard said.
An updated safety and security protocol is being worked on.
"A first draft of a new emergency response plan at the legislative assembly was put together this past summer and a finalized version should be completed by year's end, said Thagard.
"It includes everything from lock-down procedures to fire emergency and evacuation plans. My number one priority as sergeant-at-arms is the security and safety of everyone in this building."
He said the new safety protocol will complement what's already in place.
RCMP spokesperson Const. Elenore Sturko said she couldn't comment on specific security measures at the legislative assembly or whether they'd been increased in light of Wednesday's events
in Ottawa.
