'People are scared': Tory acknowledges fears as city beefs up security after van attack

In a climate of both fear and resilience after Monday's deadly van rampage, Toronto's leaders are beefing up security measures and discussing how to prevent another similar tragedy.

On Tuesday morning, councillors took a pause fromtheir scheduled council meeting to mourn and reflect on the attack,with Mayor John Tory assuring all that Toronto remains "strong and resilient."

• Man charged with 10 counts of 1st-degree murder
• Witnesses describe Toronto van attack

"People are scared,"Tory saidin his remarks to council. "They are unsure of what happened or why and they are uncertain about what they should do."

Tenpeople are dead and 15 othersinjuredafter a van driverdrove intopedestrians along a more than two-kilometrestretch ofYongeStreet near Finch Avenue in NorthYork.

RichmondHill residentAlekMinassian, 25,has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder in connection with the attack, which is now prompting discussions of Toronto's security level.

"There is a security lens we have to apply to public places," saidCoun. Joe Mihevc, speaking to CBCToronto incouncil chambers. "And of course we will do that, recognizing this could happen in a variety of ways, in a variety of places."

Mihevc stressed that preventive measures are crucial, to provide support for people who feel isolated or are coping with mental health issues though it's not yet clear what motivated the suspect in yesterday's deadly incident.

Answers to those questions, Tory said earlier, "may not come for some time."

Coun. JohnFilion, whose ward includes the site of the tragedy, said it's not clear what security measures could be implemented to protect people on a busy stretch likeYongeStreet.

"We have so many people on it every day," he said, adding that, perhaps, design changes to public places may be an area to explore.

Concrete barriers

Some changes, however,arealready evident.On Tuesday night, heavy cement blocks were set up to protectthousands of fans cheering on their home team inMaple Leaf Square near the Air Canada Centre, while dump trucks and police court services vehicles blockedintersections from traffic.

Concrete barriers were also placed around Union Station by Toronto police, said Metrolinxspokesperson Anne MarieAikins.

There is still currently extra transit safety around Union Station "out of an abundance of caution," she said, adding the transit agency is in close communication with Toronto police, the TTC, RCMP, and other public safety agencies.

City spokesperson Wynna Brown said city staff havea similar approach,working with various law enforcement and public safety partners, but she wouldn't speak about any specific strategies.

She did say the city does co-ordinate with "various law enforcement partners to determine if additional, short-term security enhancements may be required as a result of an incident, threat, or the raising of the domestic terrorism level."

'Canadians stand united'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking Tuesday at the G7 summit underway in Toronto, described Monday's incident as "a senseless attack and a horrific tragedy."

In offering condolences to the loved ones of those killed, he said the entire community of Toronto has shown strength and determination in the face of the tragedy.

"All Canadians stand united with Toronto today," Trudeau said.

"We are continuing to monitor it closely and work with our law enforcement partners around the country to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians."