Canadian Parliament Hill’s East Block Locked Down Amid Barricade Situation in Ottawa
- Victor Nwoko
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
The East Block of Parliament Hill in Ottawa was placed on lockdown Friday afternoon after a man reportedly barricaded himself inside the building. Police responded to the incident just before 3:00 p.m. local time and established a large presence in the area.
Ottawa Police confirmed the ongoing operation, stating that the East Block had been evacuated and that there were no reported injuries. Officers remained on scene managing the situation. The Parliamentary Protective Service issued an emergency alert instructing those inside the area to seek shelter in the nearest room, lock doors, and remain hidden.
Individuals outside the vicinity were warned to stay away from Parliament Hill until further notice. Access to the East Block was shut down, including for pass holders, and at least a dozen law enforcement vehicles from the Parliamentary Protective Service and Ottawa Police surrounded the building.
A robot was deployed to assist with the operation, and a large police vehicle was seen entering through a barricade on Wellington Street, which was closed off in front of Parliament. Reports indicated that a bomb squad may have been involved in the response, although this was not officially confirmed.
A law enforcement source stated that the situation was contained and that the extent of the lockdown was a precautionary measure, as each situation must be approached with the assumption of the worst-case scenario to ensure safety.
The East Block houses the offices of Canadian senators and their staff. Due to the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the upcoming federal election, there was limited activity in the area at the time of the incident.
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