Nova Scotia

Peter MacKay says Canadians now more aware of need for security

Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay says Canadians are now more aware of the importance of security in this country.

Justice minister points to recent events such as the Ottawa shooting as a 'wake-up call'

Peter MacKay is taking part in the sixth annual Halifax International Security Forum. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay says Canadians are now more aware of the importance of security in this country.

“I think the events of a few weeks ago in Ottawa and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu were, frankly, a bit of a wake-up call for the fact that Canada is certainly not immune from terrorist attacks,” he said.

MacKay made the comment at the Halifax International Security Forum, an international security conference which runs this weekend in downtown Halifax.