Montreal police practise terrorist attack response

Montreal police are warning Montrealers that they may hear two loud explosions downtown today as part of a terrorist attack simulation.

The simulation is meant to test how first responders would handle such an emergency.

Police said people may hear the sound of gunshots, as well as explosions. 

The following downtown streets, near Place des Arts, were closed to traffic from noon to 3 p.m.

• St-Urbain Street between Sherbrooke Street and Ste-Catherine Street.
• Jeanne-Mance Street between Sherbrooke Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard.
• Bleury Street between Sherbrooke Street and Président-Kennedy Avenue.
• Ontario Street and President-Kennedy Avenue between Clark Street and City Councillors Street.
• De Maisonneuve Boulevard between Clark Street and Jeanne-Mance Street.
• Evans Street.

Montreal police Cmdr. Ian Lafrenière said more than 350 people are taking part  — including paramedics, fire fighters and other emergency response workers.

"The main goal of the exercise tomorrow is to see how we work together," he told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.

He said the last simulation was held in 2005.

Lafrenière said signs were posted to make sure residents are aware there isn't a real emergency.

The simulation began at the Canadian Forces Base near Haig Avenue and Notre-Dame Street.

Afternoon activities centred mainly around the Montreal police headquarters on St-Urbain Street and the Black Watch Amoury on Bleury Street near President-Kennedy Avenue.

About 200 observers were expected to watch.