Latest news with #CADSI
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Swiss man pleads guilty to assaulting woman at anti-war protest in Ottawa
A Swiss man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at an anti-war, pro-Palestinian demonstration in Ottawa during the 2024 CANSEC conference, a defence industry showcase hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). David Henschel was released and returned to Switzerland, where he resides, the day after his arrest. He appeared in court virtually Thursday morning from Indonesia. According to court documents, he is an employee of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Schweiz AG (RWMSchweiz AG), an ammunition manufacturer. An agreed statement of facts filed with the court and read by the Crown Thursday morning details Henschel's actions on the day of the incident. A video of the interaction that was shared on social media was also entered as evidence Thursday morning. While leaving the parking lot of the Hilton Garden Inn on May 29, 2024, Henschel was walking with a woman to attend the CANSEC conference at the nearby EY Centre when he passed a protester and said "Shalom," a common Hebrew salutation meaning "peace." The protester told Henschel, "Free, free, free Palestine!" and asked to be punched, according to the agreed statement of facts. As Henschel continued walking toward the conference centre, he told protesters he was "racist and proud." A 21-year-old woman wearing a hijab approached Henschel, but according to court records she did not at any point come into contact with him. Henschel then swung his arm and intentionally struck the woman in the face with a closed fist. Henschel then pushed another protester before a small skirmish ensued and he was arrested by police. After his arrest, Henschel admitted to striking the woman and told officers, "I am sorry about any inconvenience," and, "I do apologize for any problems caused or anything like that." Henschel paid a $5,000 cash deposit following his arrest. He is expected to be sentenced following submissions on Nov. 24. It's expected Crown prosecutors will read statements from the victim and other community members at that time. Henschel's defence lawyer, James Foord, said he's limited in what he can say about the case, but noted this is "a very difficult situation for everyone involved," heightened by global events. He said his client is a good person and that his submissions will provide more insight into Henschel's character.
CBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canada should still trust U.S., Trump's former secretary of state tells defence convention
Social Sharing Former U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo delivered a reassuring, fence-mending message on Wednesday, saying Canadians ought to trust the United States and shouldn't feel as though their sovereignty is under threat. He told an international gathering of defence contractors in Ottawa that he's confident relations between the two countries remain strong and that they will endure beyond the current tensions, which are fuelled by President Donald Trump's talk of annexation and the ongoing trade war. When asked if Canadians should feel threatened by the rhetoric, Pompeo, who served in Trump's first administration, said: "No." He added that he's confident the Canadian government will do all that's necessary to ensure the country's continued sovereignty. "The answer is that Canadians ought to trust the United States in the same way Americans ought to trust [Canadians] to be able to survive. I'm convinced, in the sweep of history, that will remain," said Pompeo. His soothing tone stands in contrast to his former boss, who has repeatedly spoken about how he'd like to see Canada become the "cherished 51st state" in the American union — a notion that has awakened a sense of Canadian patriotism which was on full display Wednesday at the annual defence trade show. "We were complacent, but we've woken up," said Christyn Cianfarani, president of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries in her opening address of the event organized by her association. "We recognized that the defence of North America is a shared responsibility. But make no mistake, Canada will govern itself." Pompeo spoke to reporters following his lunchtime remarks at the CANSEC defence industry convention, which featured — as usual — a number of large U.S.-based defence contractors. Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it clear that Canada intends to invest more in defence, and that he sees an overreliance on American weapons and munitions makers. He said the federal government is hoping to join the European Union's $1.25-trillion rearmament plan — pivoting Canada away from U.S. contractors. Pompeo said Carney is simply standing up for his country. "That's his job, and that's what the people hired him to do," Pompeo said. "He should make good decisions." One of the counterarguments to Canada buying its sophisticated military equipment elsewhere is that the United States is a world leader in technology and industrial innovation — something Pompeo said the prime minister should take into account. "American human capital, American business, it is a very attractive proposition for Canadian defence," he said. On Tuesday, Trump took to social media to say that Canada has been told that joining his administration's so-called Golden Dome missile defence plan would cost the country about $61 billion US, but the cost would be "zero" if the country chose to join the United States. Trump wrote that Canada was considering it — a claim the Prime Minister's Office flatly denied. WATCH | Carney's says Trump's post is 'not an offer': 'It's not an offer,' Carney says about Trump's Golden Dome post 6 hours ago Duration 0:18 Heading into his first question period Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney was asked by a reporter if he was considering an 'offer' by the U.S. president for Canada to spend $61 billion US on a new missile defence system. Carney said 'it's not an offer' as he walked past. Carney, on Wednesday, said he wasn't going to negotiate in public and Defence Minister David McGuinty said Ottawa will continue "to do what's right for Canadians and that includes making sure that we are secure, that we are sovereign." Pompeo said he wasn't in a position to evaluate whether the $61-billion figure was accurate. But conducting missile defence over territory as vast as North America would be expensive, he said. "It's an engineering problem. It is a physics problem, a technical problem and it is a deeply expensive challenge as well. But I think that that is one that is worth the investment," the former secretary of state said. "So, my guess is that the $61 billion number is low."
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Is the Carney government serious about building up Canada's defence industry?
The 'jury's out,' says president of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries Christyn Cianfarani. Scaling up capacity in the procurement system is a 'heavy lift,' but if the country is signalling for change, 'industry will align to make that happen,' says Cianfarani.
CBC
28-05-2025
- General
- CBC
13 arrested outside CANSEC weapons fair
Thirteen people protesting Canada's largest weapons were arrested Wednesday, according to Ottawa police. Police said 12 individuals were arrested outside the EY Centre where the event is being held for assaulting police and mischief. On more individual was arrested during a related demonstration outside police headquarters on Elgin Street. Police did not answer CBC's request to provide details of any charges against those arrested, saying they'd announce further updates on X. Police said most of the arrests came shortly before 11 a.m. No injuries were reported, and Uplands Drive has now been reopened after being briefly closed due to the demonstration. The demonstration was organized by World Beyond War Canada, a organization calling for an end to war profiteering. CANSEC is an annual national defence tools and weapons showcase that attracts exhibitors and buyers from around the world. The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) has hosted the fair in Ottawa since 1998. A Swiss national was arrested outside the EY Centre during last year's event. A video later surfaced showing what appeared to be a man striking a woman wearing a hijab, knocking her to the ground. Altogether, police said they arrested nine people during last year's fair.
Ottawa Citizen
27-05-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Expanded CANSEC military trade show to draw protesters to EY Centre
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. Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 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. Article content CADSI organizes CANSEC, which takes place on May 28 and May 29. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content Patterson said organizers are hoping to attract between 200 and 300 demonstrators. Article content Article content 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. Article content 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.
