The mayor of Red Deer, Tara Veer, has issued a statement about the situation in Ottawa.
“On behalf of Red Deerians, my thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow Canadians affected by the shootings on Parliament Hill and at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.”
The release said that while there is no indication that the safety and security of Red Deerians is at risk in any way, the City of Red Deer and local authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Ottawa, and are always prepared to respond to emergent situations.
“Tragic events like these highlight the need to be vigilant in our emergency preparedness as well as in our awareness that these kinds of occurrences have the potential to affect us at a local level. We are confident in our emergency planning, response and personnel in Red Deer, and we are prepared to extend support, if needed, to the men and women who are on the ground dealing with the situation in Ottawa today,” said Veer.
Earlier today, Matthew Trapp, legislative assistant to Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen, said he talked to Dreeshen after the shooting and he was OK.
“Earl was in Centre Block at the time,” said Trapp at about 9:15 a.m. from Dreeshen’s office across the street from Parliament. Centre Block is the main parliamentary building in Ottawa.
“We’re not exactly sure where (MPs) are. Everything is in lockdown.”
A staff member in Central Alberta for Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson would only say that they have been informed that Sorenson is safe.
Similarly, local staff for Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins said they have received a text saying that he is safe.
Ottawa staff for Wild Rose MP Blake Richards confirmed that Richards and his staff were safe.
“We understand that many of you are following the rapidly developing tragic events in Ottawa this morning. The Parliamentary Precinct is currently on a security lockdown. We can confirm the safety of Mr. Richards and our Ottawa staff. Please keep those injured and those responding in your thoughts and prayers,” Russ Lyster, director of operations for Richards, said in an email to the Advocate.