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Canada's B.C. province strenthens security after Parliament Hill shooting

23 October 2014 19:48 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. After the shocking shooting attack at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, the authorities across Canada's western province of British Columbia heightened the alert, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

In Vancouver, the largest city of the province, security was stepped up at Vancouver International Airport, TransLink and Vancouver City Hall.

In Victoria, where the provincial parliament is located, public access was limited to the legislature and security guards were bolstered.

More security guards were posted at the entrances to the legislature, where they double-checked the passes and identities of staff. The public was denied entry to the parliament building since Wednesday under new temporary restrictions.

The province received information earlier this week about potential security concerns, but there was no threat aimed specifically at B.C. so far.

City and airport officials in Vancouver were on heightened alert. Vancouver city hall has increased its security presence as well, according to Tobin Postma, a city spokesman.

Meanwhile, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson issued a statement later Wednesday, saying that the news in Ottawa is "shocking and tragic."

Robertson said he has spoken with Vancouver police chief Jim Chu and the city is taking every possible added precaution.