Flags flew at half mast across Canada on Thursday morning, a day after a shooting rampage in the capital city left one soldier dead.
The city of Ottawa was on lockdown for several hours on Wednesday after a shooter, identified as Canadian, gunned down a soldier posted at the National War Memorial. The gunman then entered a nearby Parliament building where dozens of shots rang out. The shooter was killed.
As the nation's capital attempts to return to business as usual, tributes have poured in from the country and around the world. During a ceremony to honor the fallen soldier, an impromptu chorus broke out near the National War Memorial while Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen laid a wreath at the monument.
Onlookers break into rendition of O Canada. #OttawaUnitedA video posted by Scott Blurton (@scottgblurton) on Oct 10, 2014 at 6:06am PDT
Members of Parliament and those working in the government buildings paused on their way in to shake hands with a security officer in the building.
Staff heading into the house stop to shake the hand of a security officer, before entering.— Katie Simpson (@KatieSimpson24) October 23, 2014
Prime Minister Harper then proceeded to parliament where he spoke to the House of Commons about the attack and his plan to increase security and move forward from the tragedy. Harper, who has called the shooting terrorism, reiterated that the country would not be intimidated.
"Canada will never yield to terrorism and neither will this House of Commons, we will carry on," said Harper.
He also assured Members of Parliament and the national that new security measures would be put in place.
"In recent weeks I have been saying that our laws and police power need to be strengthened," said Harper. "I assure you that work which is already underway will be expedited."
Several times during the speech, he honored Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, who is being hailed as a hero for allegedly shooting the gunman responsible for the attacks. Vickers, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, stopped the shooter after he entered parliament buildings. Vickers was greeted with a standing ovation by members of Parliament when he entered the government chambers.
Canada's Sgt at Arms holding back tears as Ottawa Parliament gives him standing ovation for stopping + killing rampaging gunman yesterday— Frank Gardner (@FrankRGardner) October 23, 2014
The national newspapers also offered up their tributes on Thursday morning. A cartoon from the Chronicle Herald offered a touching illustration of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, the army reservist who was shot dead at the city's War Memorial.
Touching editorial cartoon from Chronicle Herald #Ottawa pic.twitter.com/BNHneKoLOw— Pam Damoff (@PamDamoff) October 23, 2014
Those outside the country were showing support for Ottawa as well. During a hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night, the Canadian National Anthem was played as the teams extended their "thoughts and prayers" to those in Ottawa.
The British Royal family also sent their condolences to the people of Canada, alongside other international leaders.
The Queen has sent the following message to @GGDavidJohnston after yesterday's events in #Ottawa #Canada: http://t.co/InZwCeBFLU— BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) October 23, 2014