The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the three-year anniversary of the attack at the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill:

“Three years ago today, a senseless attack at the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill in Ottawa claimed the life of ceremonial honour guard Corporal Nathan Cirillo and injured several others.  

“On this solemn anniversary, I join Canadians across the country to remember and pay tribute to Corporal Cirillo and to Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was killed two days earlier that year in a terrorist attack in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. We offer our deepest sympathies to their families and friends, and to all those affected by these attacks.

“Today, we also honour the bravery of the first responders – the Senate Protective Service and the House of Commons Security Services, the RCMP, former House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, and medical personnel – who kept us safe on that tragic day.

“These attacks were intended to instill fear and divide Canadians. Instead, they only served to unite us. We emerged stronger than before, showing the world that our most cherished values – freedom, democracy, diversity, and inclusion – will always triumph over fear and hatred.

“As we mourn today the loss of these two members of the Canadian Armed Forces, I invite all Canadians to thank our courageous men and women in uniform – both here at home and abroad – who put their lives in harm’s way every day to defend our country and keep us safe.”