Statement
April 21, 2015
Shooting in the Hall of Honour in Centre Block: reflecting on the events of October 22, 2014; access to the HillOctober 23, 2014
Hon. Andrew Scheer
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The Speaker:
Significant changes were made to House of Commons and Parliament Hill security in response to the events of October 22, 2014.
The Joint Advisory Working Group on Security was created to study issues involving security and Parliament.
[2]
On November 25, 2014, the Working Group made the decision to unify the security services of the House of Commons and the Senate.
On February 6, 2015, the government proposed a motion to invite, without delay, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) to lead operational security throughout the Parliamentary Precinct and on the grounds of Parliament Hill. The motion was adopted on February 16, 2015.
[3]
On May 7, 2015, the government introduced Bill C-59, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 21, 2015 and other measures.
[4]
Division 10 amended the Parliament of Canada Act to add provisions addressing parliamentary security. The bill established a new office, the Parliamentary Protective Service, which was made responsible for all matters with respect to security throughout the Parliamentary Precinct and on Parliament Hill. The Service was put under the responsibility of the Speakers of both Houses. Pursuant to an arrangement between the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons, as well as the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the RCMP was made responsible for the management of the new Service by means of a Director who reports to and acts under the direction of the Speakers. The Director is employed by the RCMP. The bill received Royal Assent on June 23, 2015..
[1]
To reflect the exceptional nature of the situation, the text of the prayer was printed in the Debates of October 23, 2014, p. 8691.
[2]
The Working Group had five Senators and four Members, with the Senator Vern White and the Speaker of the House of Commons serving as co-chairs.
[3]
Journals, February 6, 2015, pp. 2114–5, Debates, p. 11151–8, 11173–83; Journals, February 16, 2015, pp. 2122–8, Debates, pp. 11225–60.
[4]
Journals, May 7, 2015, p. 2502, Debates, May 7, 2015, p. 13582.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"This text is a historical statement, not a ruling, and therefore contains no holding; it factually recounts the establishment of the Parliamentary Protective Service."
AI Summary
The Speaker provides a factual summary of the legislative changes to Parliament Hill security after the October 2014 attack, culminating in the creation of the Parliamentary Protective Service.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Other
- Significance
Low
High