PM Persad-Bissessar’s Statement on the Shooting Attack on the Canadian Parliament
I was deeply saddened to learn of the shootings at Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, and a Mall in Ottawa, Canada, earlier today.
It has been reported that a gunman opened fire at the National War Memorial, wounding a soldier, then moved to nearby Parliament Hill before he was shot, reportedly by Parliament’s sergeant-at-arms.
It was later confirmed that the gunman and the soldier died from their injuries.
I wish to state that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago stands in solidarity with our fellow Parliamentarians in Ottawa during this difficult time.
Incidents such as this one remind us of the attack on this country’s democracy 24 years ago, when insurrectionists stormed our nation’s Parliament in the Red House in an attempt to overthrow the democratically-elected Government. I was also a bit concerned as the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy is based in Ottawa.
So far, no one in Canada can confirm if this was an act of terrorism against the Government and people of Canada.
But if does, this incident underscores the need for concerted global action against all forms of terrorism, and reinforces the importance of Trinidad and Tobago’s recent sponsorship of the United Nations Security Council Resolution on terrorism. This resolution seeks to build a global partnership in the international community so that all countries can rise to meet the mounting challenge of terrorism, which is a crime against humanity and democracy.
It is my intention to contact Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, to convey the concerns of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and to express our solidarity with the Government of Canada during this distressing time.