Canada's two largest cities hike security at Christmas markets

Barricades went up at Christmas markets in Montreal and Toronto -- Canada's two most populous cities -- and security was increased following an attack that killed 12 people in Berlin.
The national threat level however remained unchanged, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale yesterday told AFP.
As revellers went about their usual holiday shopping, city crews laid large blocks of cement at the entrance of the Place des Arts, which hosts one of the nation's largest Christmas markets, while security searched visitors' bags.
Similar security measures were taken at another popular Christmas market in Toronto, public broadcaster CBC reported.

The Islamic State group earlier claimed responsibility for the truck rampage in Berlin.