Parliament Hill on lockdown after man ‘barricaded’ himself inside East Block, police say
A lockdown remains in place on Parliament Hill as Ottawa police work to resolve a situation where a man has barricaded himself inside the East Block building. The incident began just before 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, and there have been no reported injuries so far.
Ottawa police took to social media to alert the public of the ongoing situation, stating that there is a significant police presence in the area and that the East Block has been evacuated. The Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) is also on the scene assisting with the situation.
As of Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET, police had not provided any updates on the situation. Wellington Street, which runs in front of Parliament Hill, has been cordoned off between Bank Street and Sussex Drive to ensure the safety of the public.
To handle the incident, officers deployed a robot and a large police truck was seen being ushered through the security roadblock. The PPS issued a lockdown notice for 111 Wellington St., where the East Block is located, instructing staffers to seek shelter, close and lock all doors, and hide in the nearest room.
The East Block is known for housing the offices of senators and their staff, although with Parliament currently dissolved for the federal election, there is minimal activity on the Hill. The building also holds historical significance, with faithful recreations of the offices once occupied by notable figures such as Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier from the 19th century.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities urge the public to stay away from the area under lockdown and await further instructions from first responders. The safety and security of all individuals involved are of utmost importance, and law enforcement is working diligently to bring a resolution to the incident on Parliament Hill.
