The Editor,
The shooting in Ottawa last Wednesday is a wake-up call to us all. An honour guard at a war memorial was shot to death. The guard had an unloaded rifle, as it was a ceremonial task.
The shooter ran to the Parliament buildings passing the security guards, or were they just greeters, also unarmed. It was assumed that in Canada we didn’t need the tight security that our neighbour to the south has. That has all changed now.
There are a few, and it doesn’t take many, that resent those in authority; police, military and politicians often are at the top of their list.
Which reminds me of something that took place in Richmond a few months ago. An MLA from Richmond was criticized by a number of people for spending taxpayers’ money on upgrading the security of her Richmond constituency office.
Linda Reid, besides being an MLA is also the Speaker of the House, a position of authority.
It would now appear that the expenditure was prudent and a necessary security step. It is unfortunate that such steps are necessary, but that appears to be the world we all live in now.
Doug Symons
Richmond
