‘We will not be intimidated’
Goodale vows ‘seamless collaboration’ ahead of July 1
There will be “seamless collaboration” among security and intelligence agencies across the country in preparation for events around Canada Day, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Monday.
Municipal and provincial police forces will be involved in security measures along with the RCMP, Goodale told a news conference in Gatineau, Que., adding that officials will do everything possible to keep Canadians safe.
“We will not be intimidated by the kind of horrible behaviour that has been exhibited so recently in the United Kingdom,” he said.
The House of Commons paused for a moment of silence on Monday to honour seven people killed in the weekend terror attack in London, including Christine Archibald, a 30-yearold
from British Columbia.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also spoke by phone with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May and the two leaders agreed to continue to co-operate to counter the threat of terrorism and radicalization, a spokesperson said.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says Canada’s capital will do everything it can to prevent an attack when it hosts the country’s 150th birthday on July 1, but admits no amount of preparation can guarantee absolute safety.
“When you see a tragedy that took place in London and on London Bridge and in Manchester, you think, ‘Could that happen here?’ and sadly, the answer is yes,” Watson said on the weekend. “There’s no 100-percent solution to terrorism.”
Intelligence gathering in advance of the Canada 150 celebrations and extreme vigilance during the Parliament Hill events will be key, said Chris Mathers, a former RCMP officer who now works as a crime and risk consultant.
“There will be people scanning the crowd,” Mathers said.