Sergeant-at-Arms of Canada's House of Commons Kevin Vickers, who shot dead a gunman after he opened fire in the Canadian parliament, was given a standing ovation by colleagues as the Canadian parliament reopened today.

At the start of a special sitting of the parliament, a day after Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot dead a soldier at a war memorial before attempting to storm the building, politicians applauded as Mr Vickers walked into the chamber.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave a speech on the attack, before shaking hands with Mr Vickers as MPs stood to applaud again.

The former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer engaged the gunman as he began firing inside the parliament building, and is believed to have shot him dead.

MPs said a prayer, sang the Canadian national anthem and held a moment of silence after two soldiers have been killed in attacks this week.

Mr Harper said the government would give more powers of detention and surveillance to security agencies in the wake of the attack.

He said: "The objective of these attacks was to instil fear and panic in our country and to interrupt the business of government.

"Well, members as I said yesterday, Canadians will not be intimidated. We will be vigilant but we will not run scared. We will be prudent but we will not panic and as for the business of government, well, here we are, in our seats, in our chamber in the very heart of our democracy and our work."

MPs and members of the public were quick to thank him after his intervention on Wednesday.

Veterans affairs minister Julian Fantino said: 

I am safe & profoundly grateful to Sgt at Arms Kevin Vickers & our security forces for selfless act of keeping us safe

— Julian Fantino (@JulianFantino) October 22, 2014

Craig Scott, an NDP MP for Toronto-Danforth, said:

Quite simply, the most emotional moment in my time as MP was just now, with our thanks in the Chamber to Sgt at Arms Kevin Vickers

— Craig Scott (@CraigScottNDP) October 23, 2014

Justice minister Peter MacKay tweeted:

To all in Ottawa, stay safe & strong. Thank God for Sgt at Arms Kevin Vickers & our Cdn security forces. True heroes #cndpoli

— Peter MacKay (@MinPeterMacKay) October 22, 2014