11 protesters arrested outside defence industry convention in Ottawa
The Ottawa Police Service says 11 people have been arrested following protests outside the CANSEC convention in Ottawa.
The annual military and defence industry conference 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 are demanding the government immediately halt all arms exports to Israel and cancel all planned arms imports.
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)
Ottawa police closed the road to drivers and urged the community to seek alternate routes to the area.
'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.
The 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)
This is a developing story.
With files from The Canadian Press
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