MPs returning to the scene of parliamentary shootings say they’ll carry on

Some members of Parliament say they’ll have a tough day as they return to caucus rooms where they were locked in last week as a gunman attacked Canada’s seat of power.

The NDP brought a counsellor into the party’s caucus room, just in case anyone wanted to talk about the trauma of last week when Michael Zehaf-Bibeau exchanged gunfire with Mounties and Parliament Hill security guards a few feet away in the Hall of Honour.

On the way into the weekly meeting New Democrat MP Glenn Thibeault said while everyone will get through the day, it won’t be easy.

Conservative caucus chairman Guy Lauzon said he just wants to get on with the business of government, and ensuring that all Canadians are safe.

Minutes before entering Parliament, Zehaf-Bibeau shot and killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial.

A funeral was held for the 24-year-old Hamilton, Ont., native on Tuesday.

Last week’s events have also set in motion a flurry of other meetings and changes to security on the Hill, which will likely be further discussed in Wednesday’s party caucus meetings.

A number of other events taking place on Parliament Hill are centred on security issues. They include:

  • A joint statement is to be released by the Information and Privacy ombudspersons and commissioners on information and privacy rights in the context of national security;
  • Retired justices Frank Iacobucci, John Major and Dennis O’Connor will take part in a panel discussion on national security and human rights issues in Canada over the last 10 years, with an examination of the implications in today’s context;
  • On another front, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt and Senator Claude Carignan will announce further measures in response to the Transportation Safety Board’s final recommendations related to the deadly derailment in Lac-Megantic, Que.;
  • And the Royal Canadian Mint, along with sports minister Bal Gosal and Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney, will unveil a new collector coin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hockey Canada.

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