13 people arrested following protest of defence industry convention in Ottawa
Protesters with fake blood on their hands sit on the road outside the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
The Ottawa Police Service says 13 people have been arrested following protests outside the CANSEC convention and police headquarters.
The annual military and defence industry conference in Ottawa drew protesters Wednesday morning, opposed to the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza. Protesters from groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement, Labour for Palestine Ottawa, World Beyond War, and others blocked Uplands Drive, outside the EY Centre.
Protesters were demanding the government immediately halt all arms exports to Israel and cancel all planned arms imports.
CANSEC protest CP Image
A protester holds a baby doll covered in fake blood at an attendee arriving at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
(Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
Ottawa police closed the road to drivers and urged the community to seek alternate routes to the area.
CANSEC Protest
Police officers stand in a line in front of protesters outside the CANSEC defence industry conference in Ottawa. May 28, 2025. (CTV News)
'At this time, 11 people have been arrested for mischief and assaulting police. There have been no injuries reported,' Ottawa police said on X at 10:42 a.m.
Uplands Drive reopened just before 11 a.m.
Police later told CTV News Ottawa a 12th person had been arrested at the protest on Uplands Drive.
The conference event featured a speech by Defence Minister David McGuinty, who said the federal government would take 'immediate and decisive action' to rebuild Canada's military and triple military spending from 2014 levels by 2030.
CANSEC protest
Protesters hold up a sign outside the CANSEC military and defence industry convention in Ottawa. May 28, 2025. (CTV News)
Following the arrests, protesters headed to Ottawa Police Service headquarters on Elgin Street to demand the arrested people be released.
A small group of people was gathered outside the police station over the noon hour.
Police said one person was arrested on Elgin Street.
CANSEC protest Elgin
Protesters gather outside Ottawa Police Service headquarters on Elgin Street after 11 people were arrested during a protest at the CANSEC military industry conference. May 28, 2025. (Austin Lee/CTV News Ottawa)
This is a developing story.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Austin Lee and The Canadian Press
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