OTTAWA — Security officers who guard the House of Commons were given a rousing tribute in the chamber they are there to protect.
As part of the winding down of business before the Christmas holidays, Speaker Andrew Scheer threw open the doors on Thursday and allowed dozens of guards on the floor of the Commons while M-Ps cheered and applauded.
He says he wanted to acknowledge the courage and professionalism of the detail in light of the Oct. 23 attack.
Scheer says their quick response after a gunman stormed Centre Block "most certainly prevented an even more tragic conclusion to the day's events."
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the gunman, murdered Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the foot of the national war memorial and then stormed Parliament Hill before being fatally shot by security staff outside the Parliamentary library.
Scheer acknowledged Samearn Son, a 10-year veteran and one of the unarmed guards who was injured trying to stop the gunman.
