Canadian MPs back at work a week after parliament attack
CANADA’S MPs struck a defiant tone as they held their first meetings since a gunman charged into the Ottawa parliament building after shooting dead a soldier last week.
Politicians yesterday headed back to meeting rooms where some of them hid a week ago while security officers dealt with an attacker later described as a recent convert to Islam who struggled with drug addiction.
“There are some jitters, there’s nervousness. We are only human,” said David Christopherson, who represents Hamilton, Ontario, the hometown of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, who was shot dead in the attack.
“No-one is going to stop us and nothing is going to stop us, and I’m going to rely on the professionals to do their jobs,” Mr Christopherson said.
“I am going to walk back in the room and pick up where we left off last week and do the people’s business.”
The parliament attack and an incident two days earlier, in which a man rammed two soldiers with his car near Montreal, killing one, came during a week in which Canada sent warplanes to take part in airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Iraq.
Prime minister Stephen Harper has vowed that policy deci- sions will not be affected by the attacks at home.
Security officials have called for legislation making it easier for courts to limit a suspect’s right to travel, and to make it easier for investigators to monitor internet and phone records.
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32, who carried out the Ottawa attack and Martin Rouleau, 25, who hit the soldiers with his car, appear to have acted independently of one another, police have said.