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Ottawa Parliament Hill Abruptly Shuts Down Amid Emergency

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, February 11th 2026 at 13:11 GMT by Toronto Star
      Locales: Ontario, CANADA

Ottawa, ON - February 11th, 2026 - An air of uncertainty and concern hangs over Ottawa today as all meetings and government business at Parliament Hill have been abruptly cancelled. The unexpected closure, announced early this morning, has thrown the legislative schedule into disarray and sparked widespread speculation about the nature of the emergency that prompted the decision. While details remain scarce, the shutdown impacts all parliamentary activities, from committee hearings to scheduled votes, effectively bringing the heart of Canadian governance to a standstill.

Confirmation of the cancellations came via an official notice circulated to all MPs and parliamentary staff around 8:00 AM EST. The notice simply stated "all meetings and government business are cancelled for today, February 11th, 2026, due to an unforeseen emergency." No further explanation was provided, fueling a frenzy of rumour and conjecture amongst those on the Hill. Several sources within different party offices have indicated that they have received no further communication beyond the initial notification. Security has been visibly increased around Parliament Hill, with a heightened police presence and increased scrutiny of access points.

The timing of the emergency is particularly notable given the already packed legislative agenda. Parliament is currently debating several key pieces of legislation, including the controversial "Digital Security Act" and the long-awaited amendments to the Canada Health Act. The postponement of these debates is likely to have significant repercussions for the government's policy objectives. Opposition parties have already begun to criticize the lack of transparency surrounding the situation, demanding a full accounting from the Prime Minister's Office.

Adding to the unusual circumstances, a scheduled in-house address by former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney will proceed as planned. Carney, who served as Governor from 2008 to 2013 and later held a prominent role at the Bank of England, was slated to address MPs and staff on an as-yet-unspecified topic. Sources close to the Speaker's office confirm the session was arranged prior to the emergence of the current emergency, and a decision was made to allow it to continue, presumably to avoid further disruption and maintain some semblance of normalcy. The fact that an address from a high-profile figure like Carney is being allowed to proceed while all other business is suspended is raising eyebrows and prompting further questions about the nature of the emergency. Speculation ranges from a security breach, a significant infrastructure failure within the parliamentary buildings, or even a health crisis impacting a prominent political figure.

The Prime Minister's Office has issued a brief statement acknowledging the situation, stating only that they are "monitoring the situation closely" and will provide a full update "as soon as possible." This lack of detail has only amplified the sense of unease. Several political analysts suggest that the government may be deliberately withholding information to avoid causing panic or to allow authorities time to assess the situation fully. However, this strategy could backfire if it erodes public trust.

This isn't the first time Parliament Hill has faced unexpected disruptions. In 2022, protests surrounding pandemic mandates brought Ottawa to a standstill for weeks, culminating in the invocation of the Emergencies Act. While the current situation appears different in nature, the memory of those events is still fresh in the minds of many. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are coordinating security efforts, and have requested the assistance of the Ottawa Police Service. Resources are being diverted from routine duties to focus on securing the parliamentary precinct.

The "Digital Security Act" which was being debated today, is facing scrutiny for its potential impact on personal privacy and freedom of speech. Amendments to the Canada Health Act aimed to improve healthcare accessibility and address rising costs, have become a political battleground between the governing party and the opposition. The delay to these pieces of legislation could push them further down the legislative calendar, potentially jeopardizing their passage before the next election. The Star will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. We urge the government to provide a timely and transparent explanation of the emergency to the public.