Windsor reacts to Ottawa shooting

Brian Masse's parliamentary assistant told CBC News the Windsor West NDP MP is safe.

Melanie Namespetra called from Masse's office, right across from Parliament Hill's Centre Block, where security has the building on lockdown.

"We're shaken up," she said. "Everybody around here is. Everybody is quite nervous and scared."

Namespetra also confirmed Windsor-Tecumseh MP Joe Comartin is also safe. Comartin's office is located in the Centre Block.

CBC News received a text from Comartin early Wednesday afternoon, stating, "I am fine. I'm in lockdown and in a safe place. Can't tell you where until they lift the lockdown. Our security people were very efficient at securing the room and then moving us to a safe site."

Later, via telephone, he spoke with CBC host Asha Tomlinson. "This has been a real tragedy for the whole country," he said. "We simply aren't going to allow one madman ... to shutdown our democracy."

Namespetra described how the day unfolded for her as she headed in to work.

"I passed the security guard who shouted, 'Someone has been shot in the leg!' and within minutes there were two House of Commons security guards who came in and told me we were on lockdown and to stay away from the windows," said Namespetra. "There were no real obvious signs that anyone was out there until I came in and was notified by security."

Nancy Jahn, who is Essex MP Jeff Watson's chief of staff, confirmed Watson is fine, but is also in lock-down in the caucus room where MPs were meeting this morning before the incident happened.

Chatham-Kent-Essex MP Dave Van Kesteren's office also confirms he is safe and in lock-down.

Royal Canadian Legion calls shooting 'reprehensible'

"It's totally unacceptable," said Archie Neilson, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 594. "It happened ... so close to Remembrance Day. We're going to be honouring our veterans ... on the heels of something happening at the National War Monument. It should be a national treasure."

In terms of collecting poppies for Remembrance Day, Neilson said he's hoping veterans will be safe.

"(Our members) will be wearing legion uniforms, not military uniforms, so that may make a difference. We don't really know."

Windsor Regiment reacts

Lt.-Col. David Lafreniere, the commanding officer of the Windsor Regiment, said it's too early to be worried about the safety of forces across the country.

"It does hit home," he said. "(But) we still don't know the motive or the rational. It's quick and easy to jump to conclusions. I would advise all of our soldiers not to do that. Be calm, reflect on what's going on and wait for direction."

But, Lafreniere said he isn't ruling out policy changes following this incident.

"We're reviewing our force protection measures," he said. "We'll adopt appropriate measures as events unfold."

When asked about the issue of soldiers wearing their uniforms in public, Lafreniere defended the practice.

"It's part of our voice, part of how we let our community know the army exists," he said. "It should be okay on your way home from work to stop at the grocery store ... without having fear or trepidation. We can't turn around and stop the way we live."

Windsor Police assured there is no threat to public safety

In a press release, Windsor Police said the Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre has elevated the terrorism threat level in Canada from low to medium based on world events, "including Canada's participation in a joint forces effort to address the threat posed by ISIS and to adopt a position similar to that of its international allies."

WPS also stated, "The Windsor Police Service remains vigilant in our communications with all of our policing partners at a local, provincial, and federal levels ... we have been assured that there is no imminent threat to public safety in our region.

Security measures at border crossings

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Customs and Immigration Union said the Canada Border Services Agency continues to take measures to increase vigilance and maximize its capacity to conduct risk assessments of people and goods before or upon arrival in Canada.

As a result, travellers may experience an increase in border wait times or increased scrutiny.

The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest North American land border crossing.