OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling the storming of the U.S. Capitol by outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 supporters an 鈥渁ttack on democracy.鈥�
鈥淐anadians are deeply disturbed and saddened,鈥�
鈥淰iolence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the U.S. must be upheld - and it will be.
The federal government continues to monitor the situation after pro-Trump extremists, who were gathered to protest the certification of President-Elect Joe Biden鈥檚 electoral victory, rushed security and breached the U.S. Capitol building.
Once inside they where they entered key spaces and offices held by officials who were largely evacuated or ordered to shelter in place. As of Wednesday evening, police had secured the building but tensions continued to flare on the grounds, where a perimeter has been established.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said he was 鈥渄eeply shocked,鈥� by the situation and that over what is unfolding in Washington, D.C.
鈥淭he peaceful transition of power is fundamental to democracy - it must continue and it will,鈥� said Champagne.
CALLING FOR CALM
In response to the rioters, Canada鈥檚 Ambassador to the United States Kirsten
She said that Canadian officials continue to follow the developments 鈥渧ery closely.鈥�
The chaotic and violent scene prompted a lockdown of key government buildings and a curfew in Washington, D.C
Hillman said that all embassy staff are 鈥渟afe and accounted for,鈥� and implored Canadians in D.C. to follow the advice of local authorities.
'ASTONSHING' AND 'FRIGHTENING'
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole called the storming an 鈥渁stonishing assault on freedom and democracy.鈥�
鈥淚 am deeply saddened to see chaos grip our greatest ally today,鈥�
In a statement, Green Party Leader Annamie Paul said that 鈥渕oments such as these underscore the importance of respect for the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power - principles upon which any healthy democracy depends."
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on the violence to end.
鈥淭he horror unfolding in Washington is frightening and it was incited by Donald Trump. He can end it now, but refuses to. Democracy must not be intimidated,鈥�
Around the same time, Trump released a minute-long video statement in which he tells those who stormed the halls of American democracy that he 鈥渓oved鈥� them, but they 鈥渉ave to go home now.鈥�
In the video, he continued to claim without evidence that the election was 鈥渟tolen鈥� from the Republicans. He called it a 鈥渓andslide.鈥� Biden won the popular vote by more than seven million votes.
The video was removed by Facebook first and then Twitter, after that social media company placed a warning on it and blocked the ability to reply, re-tweet or like the tweet 鈥渄ue to a risk of violence.鈥�
