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Cannan: We prayed for guards

The Government of Canada is back in session today, just 24-hours after a deadly shooting on the hill.

Canadian politicians are standing in unity against the acts of violence, refusing to be intimidated.

Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan was on the Hill yesterday morning when gun shots rang through the hallways of parliament. He says they were going for about 30 minutes when they heard the shots.

“There was a series of 20-30, of what sounded like firecrackers going off,” says Cannan. “It was so surreal to suddenly hear a series of gunshots going off outside the room while the caucus meeting was going on, it was alarming. At first we didn't know what was going on, but then, by instinct, we all just laid low and took cover.”

Cannan says nearly 180 members were in the room. The door was blocked with chairs and everyone took cover.

“We just prayed for the guards and the RCMP because we knew with that many shots someone had to have been injured.”

He says several members of their caucus are former police officers who took charge of the situation and helped organize the lock-down.

“The command was to be quiet... and we just kept quiet,” says Cannan. “There was great anxiety of course, but you know, everyone stayed calm.”

His thoughts went immediately to his wife and children. He wanted to call them and let them know he was safe, but at first they were unable to reach their phones. Cannan explained that they must check their cellphones in before caucus, and they were all stored in a different room.

“I have a 24-year-old daughter and just thinking about the 24-year-old soldier who lost his life while protecting the national war memorial, my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Eventually phones were handed out and everyone attempted to call home which Cannan says overwhelmed the system for a short while. He was able to eventually get a hold of his family as they woke up in Kelowna.

Cannan says they were held in lock-down for over 11-hours before they were all bussed to a location where all government officials were able to sit, talk, eat together and hear from the Prime Minister.

“There were Members of Parliament from all parties that were there and it was not a partisan issue,” explains Cannan. “It was a moment of Canadian unity and as the Prime Minister alluded to, it is a grim reminder that we are not immune to these types of terrorist acts....but Canada will not be intimated. We are a stronger country and will be more united, and it was heart-warming in that respect to see the unity within the House of Commons today.”

He says it was an especially powerful and moving moment Thursday morning when all the House of Commons stood and applauded the work of Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, he worked with RCMP to take down the shooter and secure Parliament. (photo above)

Vickers was near tears, as the entire house stood and clapped for a solid two-minutes before the meeting began.

“You know Wayne Gretzky is considered a national hero and he may have scored more goals than Mr. Vickers, but Mr. Vickers has saved more lives," notes Cannan. 

Today on the hill, Cannan says things are definitely different and security has tightened significantly, but he doesn't believe the changes will be long term.

“There will definitely be some changes, but, we don't want to have any knee-jerk reactions,” says Cannan. “We need to ensure safety while balancing Canadian's access to their House. Because, I think Canadian's take great pride in being able to visit and have access to Parliament and it would be a shame to lose that privilege.”

As for those in the Okanagan and Kelowna, Cannan doesn't feel there is any reason to be concerned.

“I think for 99 per cent of Canadians life won't change,” says Cannan. “I think there will be changes in Ottawa, but we don't live in fear, we still have the greatest country in the world. We need to continue to respect one another, and live by our values of protection of human rights, dignity, freedom and democracy.”

He adds that with Remembrance Day around the corner, “this is another reminder of all those men and women who have sacrificed their life for our freedom including Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.”



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