Protesters Target Canada's Largest Defence Trade Show
Ottawa was the site of a significant demonstration Thursday as protesters gathered outside the Cohere Centre, calling for the shutdown of CANSEC — Canada's largest defence and security trade show.
Demonstrators assembled outside the venue with a clear goal: disrupt and, if possible, halt the annual event that brings together some of the biggest names in the global defence and security industry. CANSEC is a landmark fixture on the Canadian defence calendar, drawing exhibitors and government officials from across Canada and abroad.
What Is CANSEC?
Held annually in Ottawa, CANSEC serves as a showcase for military technology, defence contractors, and security equipment. The event typically attracts thousands of attendees including procurement officials, military personnel, and industry representatives. For critics, the show represents the intersection of government and arms manufacturing — a combination they argue warrants public scrutiny and protest.
Demonstrators Make Their Case
Those gathered outside the Cohere Centre Thursday made clear their opposition to the trade show and what it represents. The demonstration reflects a growing movement of Canadians pushing back against the defence industry's presence in public life, particularly at a time of heightened global conflict and ongoing debates about Canada's military spending and arms exports.
Activist pressure around events like CANSEC has intensified in recent years as international conflicts have renewed scrutiny of where weapons end up and who profits from their sale.
Ottawa as a Stage
The choice of Ottawa as the home for CANSEC is no accident — as Canada's capital, the city sits at the heart of federal defence policy and procurement decisions. That also makes it a natural gathering point for those who want to challenge those policies in a visible, public way.
Thursday's demonstration adds to a long history of Ottawa serving as the backdrop for national debates, from parliamentary protests to major marches on Parliament Hill. Whether or not demonstrators succeeded in shutting down the show, their presence ensured the event didn't go unnoticed.
What Comes Next
It remains to be seen what impact, if any, Thursday's protest will have on CANSEC's operations or future editions. Organizers have historically continued the show despite outside demonstrations, but sustained public pressure and media attention can shape the broader political conversation around defence procurement and Canada's role in the global arms trade.
For Ottawa residents, the demonstration is a reminder that the capital isn't just where policy gets made — it's also where Canadians show up to challenge it.
Source: CBC Ottawa
