Expanded CANSEC military trade show to draw protesters to EY Centre

Ottawa Citizen

27-05-2025

The number of defence firms exhibiting at a major arms show in Ottawa this week has increased as military spending continues to climb because of ongoing wars and concerns about international security.
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More than 12,000 people are expected at the EY Centre for CANSEC, the annual defence and security trade show that is only open for military and government personnel, diplomats and industry representatives.
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Last year there were 265 exhibitors involved in the show. This year that has increased to 285, Christyn Cianfarani, president of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) confirmed in an email.
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CADSI organizes CANSEC, which takes place on May 28 and May 29.
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Protesters have also vowed to make their presence known at this year's show with pickets expected outside the EY Centre starting early May 28. In past years the protesters have delayed vehicles entering the centre.
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Brent Patterson, a peace activist who is helping organize the 'Shut Down CANSEC' protests, said a number of companies exhibiting at this year's event are supplying weapons to Israel for its operations in Gaza. 'People are aware that that the weapons companies that are arming the genocide are at the EY Centre so there is definitely the motivation to come out and protest,' he said in an interview.
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Patterson said organizers are hoping to attract between 200 and 300 demonstrators.
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He noted that Canadian-made military equipment is also being exported to countries that have poor human rights records or are involved in repressing their own citizens. 'We are saying no to repression, no to genocide,' Patterson added.
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Last year, nine individuals were arrested at the EY Centre demonstrations, with the courts either handing out sentences involving community service or issuing peace bonds outlining restrictions for the individuals. 'Ironically (the bonds) involved orders not to disturb the peace by protesting against war,' Patterson said.