angus memorialOne year ago, a gunman took to Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and caused a scene that is forever in the minds of Canadians.

Corporal Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed as he stood guard at the National War Memorial, and the shooter then took to the halls where MP’s were having their weekly caucus meetings.

For Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, the memories stand out like a sore thumb.

He says the incident has made him more appreciative of people, life and how close they came to being caught in the crossfires of the gunman.

Angus adds Canadians should think back to the incident, one that Prime Minister Stephen Harper “up-ended” the political narrative.

He continues to talk about Cirillo’s girlfriend writing a post in the aftermath, calling to deal with people with mental illness on the street, something Angus feels was overlooked.

The shooting happened two days after Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was killed in a hit-and-run by an Islamic extremist in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

Governor General David Johnston says while some suggested the country would be dramatically changed by what happened, Canadians remain a caring and courageous people and that will not change.

(With files from The Canadian Press)