Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett was sitting in Legislature when the shootings outside Parliament happened in Ottawa on Oct. 22.
"We were [quickly] told what happened in Ottawa and, of course, we had our TVs on.
"The sergeant-at-arms is in constant communication with Ottawa ... at all times he's aware of what's going on. When there are security breaches in other places, he automatically does what he has to do here, and everything gets locked down immediately."
While the politicians were allowed out of the building during lock-down with Victoria Police at the doors inside and empty streets and sidewalks outside, she adds it felt like an unfamiliar environment to her.
"It was an eerie feeling in the air; it's just hard to describe. At noon, I walked to the bank and there were very few people [out] ... it was almost like everybody went home."
The only ones allowed into the Legislature for the two-day lock-down were staff, politicians and those that had pre-arranged appointments with ministers, MLAs, or tours (such as for students).
Premier Christy Clark has since ordered a full review of the security in Victoria.
Barnett notes a metal detector was already among the protective measures at Legislative Buildings, and is immediately activated upon any high alert.