CANADIAN police yesterday arrested an armed member of the military who entered the grounds of an Ottawa estate that is home to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the governor-general.

The suspect “breached the main pedestrian entrance” to Rideau Hall with his vehicle about 6.30am (1030 GMT), said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in a statement.

The car was disabled on impact, so he entered the property on foot before being “rapidly contained” by RCMP officers on patrol and arrested a short time later without incident.

“The individual arrested by RCMP is a member of the armed forces,” said police, without immediately revealing his identity. Charges are pending.

RCMP and the Defence Ministry said they are collaborating on the investigation.

Rideau Hall is the official residence of Governor-General Julie Payette. Trudeau and his family live on the property at Rideau Cottage.

“The prime minister and his family, as well as the governor-general, were not present on site at the time of the incident,” said RCMP.

The gate leading to the estate was damaged.

Payette is the official representative of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s formal head of state due to its membership in the Commonwealth. – AFP, July 3, 2020.