Montreal holiday market tightens security after Berlin attack

Montreal shoppers at a downtown Christmas market went on with life as usual Tuesday despite heightened security prompted by a fatal attack in Berlin Monday.

A truck plowed into the crowd at a Christmas market in the German capital, leaving 12 dead and nearly 50 injured.

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According to the SITE Intelligence Group, an organization that tracks extremists groups, Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

"It think it's very sad, and I feel pretty angry that people can do such nasty things to human beings," said Simon Zha, who was at the Place des Festivals holiday market in downtown Montreal. 

The Berlin attack was reminiscent of the fatal truck attack in Nice this summer, and security experts say it's the type of incident that could happen anywhere, but Zha said he felt safe in Montreal and didn't think Canada was "primary target" for such an attack.

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"I feel that I go where I want to go, and this is something you cannot plan to avoid," he said. 

It's a great disappointment what happened. Our hearts go out to the families, but for us, we have to continue.- John Ryan, Montreal holiday market shopper

Veronica Kitchen, associate professor of political science at the University of Waterloo, agrees that the risk of such an attack is low in Canada.

"It's not something that should prevent people from going about their day to day lives, enjoying New Year's celebrations, holiday celebrations, unless and until we get a specific warning from Canadian officials that we need to be concerned," she said.    

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Still, the Place des Festivals Christmas market ramped up security as Montreal police installed concrete barriers that could prevent a truck from entering the area.

A Toronto Christmas market took similar measures Tuesday.

Heightened security a future reality?

For Patrick and Isabelle Depardon, a couple visiting from Paris, tight security measures are a daily reality – one that Montrealers may soon have to face.

"In France, everywhere we have to open our bags, open our coats," said Isabelle Depardon, "and for us it's normal."

Patrick Depardon, remarked that Montreal did not have enough concrete blocks and other safeguards in place to prevent attacks like the ones seen in Europe.

"Just imagine a truck, there is nothing to prevent a truck from coming here," he said.

"It's not going to happen in the near future, I think, but in the years to come, yes."

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Regardless, several Montrealers at the Place des Festivals holiday market expressed a fervent commitment to continue living life as usual, adding that doing anything else would be giving into the wishes of the attacker.

"It's a great disappointment what happened. Our hearts go out to the families," said shopper John Ryan.

"But for us, we have to continue."