Security heightened for Canada Day festivities

As Canadians prepare to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederations this weekend security is being beefed up, especially in Canada’s most famous address- Niagara Falls. It comes after a memo revealed that Canada, as well as the United States were named as terrorist targets by ISIS following the Manchester bombing last month.

Niagara Falls is preparing for an influx of visitors for Canada’s 150th anniversary and with it being so close to the border security expert David Hyde says it is a high profile target for terrorists.

“It is a large place, a tourist attraction, very high profile, so it certainly would be amongst a number of likely targets potentially.”

While no specific cities or locations were named in the security memo, officers will be visible throughout Niagara Falls.

“I can tell you that we will have a security presence at a lot of events – seen and unseen.” said Phil Gavin of the Niagara Police.

Niagara Police are tight lipped about their security protocol, but in Ottawa heavily armed police and surveillance cameras will be added around Parliament Hill. Barricades will be also be placed around the area to prevent attacks like the one in London, England earlier this month where a van rammed into pedestrians, killing seven and injuring dozens more.

According to the memo, ISIS warned Muslims to avoid markets and also threatened to use explosives, vehicles and beheadings to kill so-called crusaders.

Hyde says there has to a balance between convenience and security.

“Everyone is being ID checked. No one is getting near the location. There is multiple check points and it really becomes no fun to be there.”

Niagara Police say people out enjoying the Canada Day festivities should also be alert “but we also ask the community also be vigilant and aware of anything that is suspicious that they certainly contact us.”

Despite the latest threat Canada’s national terrorism threat level remains at medium,. meaning that a violent act of terrorism could occur.

It was raised in the days before the 2014 attack on the war memorial and Parliament Hill in Ottawa and has stayed there ever since.