PM Trudeau wore a bullet proof vest at a rally last fall because RCMP received what police sources say was a credible threat conveyed by a woman who said she had seen a man outside waiting to enter the rally with a gun. The RCMP's primary advice was to cancel the rally #cdnpoli

The RCMP believed the threat was credible based on the witness (a woman working as a bus driver) account. It was extremely detailed and accurate description. She reported the man had a black pistol in his hands and was waiting in the crowd before entering the rally.

RCMP advised the campaign to cancel the rally and not have Mr. Trudeau go out after they received the threat according to multiple sources in policing. The Liberal campaign and Trudeau family decided the threat was significant enough for Sophie and the children to leave.

Decision to go is always that of the principle not the protection detail. The RCMP also provided options for how to go out advising the safest way was in a vest and surrounded by ERT hoping to deter an attacker. RCMP spent 90 minutes searching for the gun and man, found neither.

Sources say concerns were raised about Mr. Trudeau's security if the rally went ahead, as well as the safety of others in the room and crowd. Some on the security team did not feel it was safe even though neither the man who was allegedly spotted nor the gun were found.