Shopping malls across Canada are on alert after a video posted online by Somali terror group al-Shabab called for attacks on shopping centres in the west, including Canada.
"A lot of people are talking about it. I saw online that a lot of people are concerned,” said Roger Desjarlais as he waited for a bus outside Polo Park Shopping Centre in Winnipeg.
In the 76 minute long video, a masked man singles out West Edmonton Mall as an example of a Canadian target.
Speaking to CTV News by telephone, the general manager of St Vital Centre said the mall regularly reviews security procedures and is confident in the safe environment it provides for shoppers.
"I don't think it's a thing that's actually going to happen,” said Winnipeg shopper Ashley Wilwand. “It seems a bit of a ridiculous threat and a lot of people like to say things just to get a bit of a scare and get a bit of attention."
Earlier this month, police arrested a pair of people they accuse of planning a deadly Valentine’s Day attack at the Halifax Shopping Centre.
That incident, plus the most recent threat from overseas, has Sarah Flynn thinking twice about her safety at shopping centres.
"I think it would make me think about it,” said Flynn. “I think I would still go because you have reasons to go to the mall and you go. But I do think that you need to take it seriously."
West Edmonton Mall said extra security measures are being taken.
It was not immediately clear if malls in Winnipeg plan to follow suit.
