Ottawa, April 6, 2025 — A tense hours-long lockdown at Parliament Hill on Saturday ended without injuries after Ottawa police arrested a 31-year-old man who entered the East Block and made threats to public safety.
According to the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), the incident began around 2:40 p.m. when the man entered the security screening area of the East Block and started issuing threats. He was quickly isolated to the screening zone as the Parliamentary Protective Service and OPS initiated an evacuation of the building and surrounding area.
Authorities discovered several suspicious packages during the lockdown, but after thorough checks, no explosives, weapons, or hazardous materials were found. Specialized OPS units, including a canine team and bomb disposal robots, were deployed. Two robots were seen positioned outside the historic Centre Block during the operation.
Police said that after several hours of negotiations, the man surrendered peacefully and was arrested on site. His name has not been released, but he is facing multiple charges including breach of probation, public mischief, and uttering threats to cause property damage.
Earlier, police had warned those inside the East Block to seek shelter, lock doors, and stay hidden. The area was cleared and a wide exclusion zone was enforced, including a shutdown of Wellington Street and later extending back to Sparks Street.
The East Block, largely quiet due to the federal election and Parliament’s dissolution, houses senators’ offices and contains preserved 19th-century spaces once used by founding figures like Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier.
Despite the disruption, no injuries occurred and the scene was declared safe following the arrest and inspection of the suspect and packages.
