Operation in parliament: fraud or misinformation, sources say

In the afternoon, Saturday, police first considered the threat credible.

MPs, senators and parliamentary staff were instructed shelter in place while officers closed adjacent streets to investigatesuspicious circumstances.

Since then, many sources familiar with the situation have said CBC News that police are now investigating to determine if a fraud was the source of the threat. He is also trying to determine if the information that led to the large police deployment was just a bad tip, according to sources who wish to remain anonymous.

Sources also say there is no threat to national security.

By Sunday afternoon, police had announced no arrests or charges. According to sources, if any cases arise, they will not be filed soon.

An incident first described as a potential threat

A high -level government source who explained the situation confirmed the initial information the suspicious circumstance was received Saturday afternoon from the intelligence branch of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

L ‘CBSA warned that the potential threat to the Parliamentary Precinct had to do with possible explosives in vehicles parked near Parliament Hill, the source said.

Law enforcement sources said the potential threat was considered credible and serious at the time. An investigation – involving, among others, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) and the RCMP – was launched.

At 12:55 pm on Saturday, a sheltering notice was sent out PPS – which manages security operations in the parliamentary precinct – alerts them about it potential threat.

In downtown Ottawa, the OPS closed the street Wellington between the streets Elgin and the avenue Bronsonas well as the street Metcalfe between Albert Street and Slater.

According to high -level government sources, Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security Marco Mendicino spoke at the incident. Justin Trudeau was in Los Angeles after the Summit of the Americas.

At 3:35 pm, police began removing tape blocking Parliament Hill.

Following the investigation, no threat to public safety was identifiedOttawa police said in a statement Saturday afternoon, adding that two vehicles of interest and two interested people were found.

Sources said the vehicles had been siniyasat and they no longer threaten.

Sunday, the OPSwho led the investigation, did not provide any update, repeating that the investigation into this case is ongoingrepeated without risk to public safety.

Sources said an investigation is underway to determine the source of the threat.

Also on Sunday, the Gendarmerie said that for confidentiality and operational reasons, the RCMP does not confirm, deny or disclose information related to criminal investigations until charges have been filed. This is when an investigation has resulted in the criminal case RCMP confirm its investigation, the type of allegations filed and the identity of the person (s) involved.

The RCMP highlighted with no threat to the citizens of Ottawa or Parliament Hill at this time.

L ‘CBSA said in a statement does not confirm, deny or comment on ongoing police investigations or mattersreferring questions to PPS and in OPS.

With information from Philip Ling and David Fraser, CBC News