- A man gained unauthorized access to the East Block of Canada’s Parliament and barricaded himself inside.
- Police evacuated the building, shut down nearby roads, and deployed special units.
- The suspect was arrested without incident after an hours-long standoff; no injuries were reported.
The Canadian Parliament in Ottawa was placed under lockdown Saturday after a man infiltrated the East Block. He then barricaded himself inside.
Police confirmed the arrest of the suspect several hours later, noting that he was taken into custody without resistance. While no injuries or immediate threats were reported, officials described the incident as “suspicious”. They also expanded the exclusion zone to nearby Sparks Street.
Parliament Hill Intruder Prompts Evacuation, Arrest, and Heightened Security in Ottawa
The incident began early Saturday afternoon when an unknown man breached security and entered the East Block of Parliament Hill. This prompted an urgent response from Ottawa Police. They deployed specialized units to the historic building, where members of Parliament and staff are frequently present.
The police quickly evacuated personnel and urged anyone still inside to shelter in place, lock doors, and hide. In response to the escalating situation, Wellington Street, a major artery in downtown Ottawa, was closed off entirely. This closure affected the area between Bank Street and Sussex Drive.
The suspect eventually surrendered without incident. While no weapons or injuries were reported, police have not ruled out a deeper investigation into his intentions. Officials have yet to release his identity or any possible affiliations. No charges were immediately announced.
This incident has renewed concerns over Parliament Hill’s security infrastructure. Many are questioning how an unauthorized person was able to access such a sensitive area. Calls for stricter access controls and real-time monitoring are likely to intensify in the days ahead.
While the situation ended without physical harm, the breach has cast a spotlight on national security measures in Canada’s capital. This has prompted renewed scrutiny of protocols in place to protect key government institutions.
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” — Thomas Jefferson
