Police say security ‘climate,’ not specific threat, prompted weapons upgrade
OTTAWA — City police officers patrolling the airport in the nation’s capital are getting military-style rifles, but officials say the move wasn’t prompted by any specific security threats.
Rather, police say, the issuance of carbine rifles to officers at Ottawa International Airport will simply provide a higher degree of safety for travellers.
The move comes as Ottawa prepares for a colossal Canada Day celebration, with officials predicting upwards of 450,000 people could descend on Parliament Hill and other venues in the capital.
It also comes a day after a Montreal man allegedly stabbed a police officer in the neck at the airport in Flint, Mich., an incident which authorities have labelled a terrorist attack.