Publishing date: Jun 11, 2022  •  33 minutes ago  •  2 minute read  •  6 Comments Wellington and Elgin St. Police have closed several streets around Parliament Hill during an “ongoing police investigation.” Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

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Parliament Hill was evacuated Saturday and a massive police presence descended on downtown in response to a potential “public safety threat,” Ottawa police said.

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No threat was detected after several hours, though police had warned motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area. “The suspicious incident investigation at Parliament Hill is complete,” the Ottawa Police Service said via Twitter shortly after 4 p.m. “No public safety threat has been identified.” Police issued the initial warning about an “ongoing police investigation” at Parliament Hill around 1:30 p.m., with Wellington Street closed to traffic between Bronson Avenue and Elgin Street, and Metcalfe Street closed for several blocks near the Hill. Parliamentary staffers also received a “situation advisory” for 111 Wellington St. — Centre Block — and were told by Parliamentary Protective Services to “shelter in place.”

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“Please be advised there is an ongoing operation in order to deal with a possible threat,” the PPS alert read. “There has been a SHELTER IN PLACE order given for the (Parliamentary) Precinct, this entails no movements in or out of our buildings. Parliament Hill has been evacuated.” Police shared little information during the “police action,” though social-media video showing a group of about 20 demonstrators fuelled speculation the two events could be related. Police on Saturday would not say whether the investigation was related in any way to the demonstration. A group of of protestors chanting “Freedom!” was also congregating at the intersection of Metcalfe and Sparks Street as heavily-armed police patrolled Parliament.

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Police had issued a warning of a “suspicious incident” in the Parliament Hill area. “Multiple streets are closed and there is a large police presence. Do not enter the area. Follow the direction of the officers,” an earlier tweet said. Heavily-armed tactical police units patrolled downtown, while PPS guards were joined at the scene by military police, tactical paramedics and firefighters. Investigators were seen with mirrors used to check under cars, and there was speculation that a black sedan parked in a loading zone near Parliament Hill may have been under suspicion. Police would not confirm those details. There were also media reports indicating arrests had been made and an announcement was imminent related to a potential terrorism-related threat. Ottawa police would not confirm those details. With files from Ashley Fraser Sparks and Metcalfe, Saturday June 11, 2022 Photo by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia /jpg

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The suspicious incident investigation at Parliament Hill is complete. No public safety threat has been identified. The area is reopened to the public. We thank the public for its cooperation. — OPS Operations (@DutyInspector) June 11, 2022

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