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Ottawa Shooting: Alberta MPs, Premier React

Alberta Reacts To Ottawa Shootings, Send Condolences
OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 22: Ottawa police patrol along Elgin St. steps away from the National War Memorial where a soldier was shot this morning, October 22, 2014 in Ottawa, Canada. Officials are investigating multiple reports of shootings and suspects after at least one gunman shot a Canadian soldier and then entered Canada's Parliament building. (Photo by Mike Carroccetto/Getty Images)
Mike Carroccetto via Getty Images
OTTAWA, CANADA - OCTOBER 22: Ottawa police patrol along Elgin St. steps away from the National War Memorial where a soldier was shot this morning, October 22, 2014 in Ottawa, Canada. Officials are investigating multiple reports of shootings and suspects after at least one gunman shot a Canadian soldier and then entered Canada's Parliament building. (Photo by Mike Carroccetto/Getty Images)

Alberta Legislature continued with proceedings but public and school tours were cancelled Wednesday after the shootings in Ottawa.

"We have no information suggesting a threat, but we will be vigilant and adjust our security measures appropriately in concert with other public safety and security agencies," Alberta Justice Minister and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis said in a written statement.

Premier Jim Prentice issued the following statement:

“On behalf of all Albertans, I would like to offer my sincere thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and comrades of the soldier shot today while standing on guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

As the situation in Ottawa is ongoing, we will continue to monitor the events as they unfold.

Here in Alberta, we continue to be vigilant. We have robust security that includes armed Sheriffs, security instruments and protocols with the Edmonton Police Service. No further details will be disclosed publicly for security reasons.”

The premier also tweeted that he was "shocked" to hear about the shootings and offered prayers to the soldier who was shot at the National War Memorial.

Story continues after the slideshow:

In Photos: Ottawa Shooting

Calgary-Centre MP Michelle Rempel tweeted from Ottawa shortly after the first shots were fired.

According to the Calgary Herald, Alberta Minister of Labour Ric McIver had a close call with a gunman shortly before the shooting happened.

“He kept calling and calling and I thought, ‘Boy this isn’t like him,’” McIver's wife, Christine, told the Calgary Herald from a conference in Toronto.

“I took his call and he said, ‘You’re not going to believe this, the gunman came within feet of me.’”

The Herald reports McIver was in Ottawa to meet with federal Minister of Employment Jason Kenney, and that McIver ran to Kenney's office after seeing the gunman.

Other Alberta MPs checked in via Twitter to confirm their safety:

Alberta Senator Doug Black told the Edmonton Journal he was instructed to stay away from windows in his office across from the Parliament Buidlings.

It’s terrifying,” he said. “There are officers everywhere (on Parliament Hill) with their guns out.”

He told the Journal that despite being under attack, Canada "will not be intimidated."

Alberta Liberal Leader Raj Sherman issued a statement, thanking "all men and women in uniform for standing on guard here in Canada and abroad."

“Our free and open society appears to be under attack this morning by individuals who prefer violence to dialogue. If this is the case, we must not let them succeed in their objective of having us live in fear. We Canadians are not a fearful people, and we must not allow such an incident to change this essential aspect of our national character," he continued.

“May justice be swift, and may the democratic ideals these men and women have dedicated their lives to protecting not be forgotten in the aftermath of today’s barbaric action.”

The Canadian Forces Base in Edmonton said they had not upped security yet, but that they were remaining vigilant.

“As always, vigilance is the key word here. I’m sure something will be looked at, but as I know, nothing is going on right now,” spokesman Fraser Logan told the Journal Wednesday morning.

“As for anything changing at the base, I don’t know, it’s status quo as it stands.”

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