Police say they have locked down Parliament Hill’s East Block as they deal with what they described as a “barricaded man.”
“East block has been evacuated. There are no known injuries and police continue to deal with an individual in this ongoing incident that began just before 3 p.m.,” the Ottawa Police Service said in a statement on social media.
“There is a large police presence in the area,” the police force said, adding that they are there “for a barricaded man in the area of East block.”
An Ottawa police service robot is seen at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 5, 2025. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby
Members of the Ottawa police service cordon off an area during an incident at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 5, 2025. The Canadian press/Spencer Colby
Officers from both the Parliamentary Police Service as well as the Ottawa Police Service are on the scene.
A robot has also been brought in as part of the police operations.
The East Block, one of Parliament Hill’s landmark buildings, currently houses offices and meeting spaces for the Senate. Parliament is dissolved at the moment due to the federal election.
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Sen. Patrick Brazeau posted on social media the image of an alert sent by the Parliamentary Protective Service at 2:45 p.m., which instructed building occupants to seek shelter.
“A LOCKDOWN has been declared at: 111 Wellington – East Block,” the alert said.
“Seek shelter in the nearest room. Close and lock all doors and hide. If you are not in the immediate area, stay away until further notice. Do not travel to locations under lockdown.”
Police are instructing the public to avoid the area, and have closed Wellington Street from Bank Street to Sussex Drive.
Police are not releasing further information at this point.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow.
