In the wake of Wednesday’s murder of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, Chief of Defence Staff Tom Lawson has ordered military personnel in the Ottawa-Gatineau area not to wear their uniforms while travelling to and from work.
The order is effective as of Thursday but Lawson says the measure will be temporary.
“We will take appropriate precautionary measures as we move forward to reduce unnecessary risks,” said Lawson in an statement issued internally Wednesday and released publicly Thursday.
“This order was not given lightly,” added Lawson. “As Canadian Armed Forces members, we wear our uniforms with pride and we will continue to do so. However, with the recent attack in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, in which we lost Warrant Officer Vincent, and with the shooting in Ottawa today, this is viewed as an appropriate and measured response.”
A lockdown of military bases in the national capital region imposed in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday’s attack has been lifted but Lawson said a review of security at all Canadian bases is now underway.
