Canada PM Justin Trudeau wears bulletproof vest at campaign event after threat

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau donned a bulletproof vest and appeared with a heavy security detail at a major election rally on Saturday.

Officials would not reveal the nature of the threat, but it resulted in a 90-minute delay before Trudeau appeared before about 2,000 supporters who had turned out as the election campaign ahead of the October 21 vote.

Trudeau wore a suit jacket rather than his usual rolled-up sleeves and loosened tie, and was wearing a vest, which was noticeable in photos taken at the event.

Trudeau was escorted through crowd by a large number of plain clothes Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers as well as Mounties dressed in green tactical gear and wearing backpacks.

The scenes were almost unprecedented in recent Canadian political history, which has been overwhelmingly peaceful.

RCMP spokeswoman Stephanie Dumoulin said they do not comment on security measures given to the prime minister. A spokeswoman Trudeau also declined to comment.