Ottawa introducing ‘enhanced security measures’ at City Hall on May 26

City of Ottawa building in downtown Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa will roll out “enhanced security measures” at City Hall later this month, requiring visitors to have their bags screened and go through a metal detector before entering the building.

The city announced the new security measures Friday afternoon, which include people being prohibited from entering City Hall on Laurier Avenue with sharp objects and aerosols.

“Over the years, security risks and incidents have evolved, resulting in various levels of government updating their security procedures for entry into their administrative and legislative centres,” the city said in a statement.

“As a result, the city will be adopting security screening measures, which is a best practice model that it is currently in place in other public-facing government buildings in the national capital region, as well as at City Hall buildings in Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal.”

All visitors entering City Hall will be asked to use the Laurier Avenue West or Lisgar Street entrances and will be required to have their bags screened and walk through a metal detector.

Visitors will be asked to place all personal items, including coats, cellphones, laptops, purses and bags, onto a tray for X-ray screening. You will then be asked to walk through a metal detector.

“The screen process will be efficient, respectful and courteous,” the city said.

The city says to avoid any delays at the entrances, visitors should not be carrying the following items:

• Sharp objects, blades or tools
• Compressed gas cylinders, aerosol cans, or powders
• Explosive or flammable items
• Weapons, including toy replicas
• Noisemakers, megaphones or air horns
• Large placards or signs (that are not made of cardboard or cloth)

Ottawa City Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. On weekends, visitors will only be able to enter the building via Laurier Avenue West.

The new enhanced security measures will begin May 26.

In 2020, the city introduced security measures to enter Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall for committee and council meetings.

Security access gates were installed at the two entrances, and security started inspecting purses, bags and coats before visitors passed through the gates.