Parliamentary security did not require emergency legislation, says deputy director

Security forces responsible for the protection of the Canadian Parliament did not demand an emergency law, its deputy director told the House Commission on Tuesday.

Chief Operating Officer Larry Brookson said a simple “no” when asked by Tory Brad Bis during a Standing Committee meeting on procedures and household chores when the Parliamentary Protection Services (PPS) demanded that the bill be invoked. answered.

The Commission is currently conducting research to expand Congress’s precincts to include sections on Wellington Street and Sparks Street, taking into account the truck driver-led Freedom Convoy protest that blocked part of downtown Ottawa in February. I am.

Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino has repeatedly stated that the law was invoked on the advice of law enforcement agencies, and the head of the organization that played a security role during the Free Convoy protest testified before the Parliamentary Commission. When you do, you are asked if that was the case. He demands action.

The government sought to reconstruct Mendicino’s statement, stating that it meant police requested certain tools that only the Emergency Law could provide.

Liberal Rep. Greg Fergus asked Brookson if he could ask “more fun questions” than Vis asked.

“Will the police demand action? Or will they identify the tools needed for operational challenges? And is it up to the elected officials to find the best tools available? Which would better explain the situation? “Fergus said.

Brookson replied that the PPS is responsible for protecting the parliamentary precincts, but is not a law enforcement agency and cannot comment on police issues.

“Because you answered [Vis’s] Question, I just want to know, was there any more nuance in the answer to that question? Fergus pushed.

“”good, The only additional nuance is that there is no benefit to invoking the Emergency Act for Service, “Brookson said, adding that his service did not receive additional authority.

Liberal Party lawmaker Ryan Turnbull asked Brookson, “Can we talk about how often the threats and security concerns shared by MPs and their staff during the occupation?”

Brookson replied that he didn’t have a specific number for a service call during that period, but he was “extremely worried.”

The director of the PPS must be a member of the RCMP, but he mainly reports to the Speaker of the House and the Speaker of the Senate. He also reports to the RCMP Commissioner on operational issues.

The organization was established in 2015 to integrate Senate protection services and House of Commons protection services in response to the disruption of communications caused by the October 2014 terrorist attack. Michael Zehaf-Vivo At the Parliament Building and the War Memorial.