By Cam Kennedy [1] and William Proulx [2]
BELLEVILLE – As police and security officials are dealing with chaos in the streets of downtown Ottawa Wednesday, QNet News examines events leading up to the shooting on Parliament Hill.
Oct. 21: An attack takes place at a Canadian military base in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., involving a male striking two soldiers in his car. One of the soldeiers, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, 53, died as a result of the incident.
Martin Couture-Rouleau, 25, the man driving the car, is suspected of having been planning to try to fight abroad with terror group Isis. Couture-Rouleau was killed by police after a high-speed car chase.
After the incident, the Canadian government issues a statement saying the risk of terrorism in Canada had been raised from low to medium.
Oct. 9: The threat of ISIS to Canada is real, Canadian Security Intelligence Committee director Michel Coulombe tells the House of Commons public safety committee, but CSIS has no information suggesting it is imminent. His comment comes despite repeated warnings by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other government MPs that jihadist from the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria could attack Canada.
Oct. 5: Canadian Defence Minister Rob Nicholson says airstrike attacks against ISIS are needed to fight a “direct threat” to Canada.
Oct. 3: Harper announces that Canada will send six CF-18 fighter jets to combat ISIS. More than 600 Canadian soldiers will also be deployed.
Sept. 16: Canada sends 69 special-forces soldiers to northern Iraq to assist local forces in the fight against ISIS.