"Heightened vigilance" 
by Romeo St. Martin

[PoliticsWatch Updated 1:00 p.m. July 7, 2005]

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan reacts to the London terror attacks in Edmonton on Thursday.

OTTAWA  — Deputy Prime Minister Anne Minister said Thursday a special security plan developed after the Madrid subway bombings went into effect in Canada on Thursday following the terrorist attack in London that killed at least 35 commuters.

Speaking in Edmonton after a special cabinet committee teleconference, McLellan said Canada's public transit system went into "a state of heightened vigilance" after news broke of the attacks. 

Under an intelligence network system targeted for urban mass transit, including passenger rail systems, security was beefed up across the country in terms of increased human surveillance by transit officials and local police and encouraging the public to be extra vigilant. 

"That system kicked in this country just as it did in the United States so that you have heightened vigilance," she said. 

Mass transit officials from across the country were also involved in conference call with Transport Canada officials to discuss the situation. 

Increased security was also visible in the nation's capital, as two SWAT Team members were seen along Elgin Street just blocks from Parliament Hill. 

"There is no specific threat to Canada or Canadians at this time, but you have to be prepared, you have to take all precautionary measures," McLellan said, noting that Canada was one of five nations that were specifically named in a taped message by Al-Qaeda two years ago. 

McLellan said CSIS informed her Thursday morning a number of groups are claiming credit for the attacks. She also spoke with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. 

She also urged Canadians travelling to London to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs to be provided with up-to-date information and what precautions to take. 

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