Ottawa once again found itself at the centre of a national debate over the defence industry as protesters turned out in force to oppose CANSEC, Canada's premier arms and security trade show.
Record Turnout on Both Sides
This year's edition of CANSEC — hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADI) — was the largest in the event's history, drawing defence contractors, military officials, and government representatives across its two-day run. But outside the venue, demonstrators made clear they had no intention of letting the show pass without scrutiny.
Protesters gathered to voice opposition to what they describe as the normalization of arms dealing and the defence industry's presence in the capital. For many demonstrators, Ottawa's role as host city for one of the country's biggest weapons trade expos raises uncomfortable questions about Canadian foreign policy and the arms exports that flow from events like these.
CANSEC and Its Critics
CANSEC is a fixture on Ottawa's annual calendar, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees from the defence and security sectors. Supporters argue the event is essential for Canada's defence industry — supporting jobs, fostering innovation, and ensuring the country's military remains equipped and competitive on the world stage.
Critics, however, counter that the show facilitates the sale of weapons and military technology to regimes with troubling human rights records. Protest organizers have long pushed back against CADI and the federal government to impose stricter export controls and greater transparency around who ultimately receives Canadian-made defence products.
Ottawa as a Stage for the Debate
The fact that CANSEC is held in Ottawa — the seat of federal power — gives the annual protests an added layer of political significance. Demonstrators have direct access to the corridors of government, and their presence near the event sends a message not just to industry but to the ministers and officials who attend or oversee defence procurement.
This year's record size for the show signals that Canada's defence sector is growing, buoyed in part by increased NATO spending commitments and a broader global push by Western nations to strengthen their militaries. That growth has also energized the protest movement, which sees the expansion of the arms trade as all the more reason to demand accountability.
A Recurring Ottawa Flashpoint
CANSEC has become one of Ottawa's most reliably contested public events, drawing organized opposition year after year. The demonstrations reflect a broader tension within Canadian society — between the economic and strategic rationale for a robust defence industry and the ethical concerns raised by critics about where and how those weapons are used.
Whether this year's record attendance on both sides of the fence signals a new chapter in that debate remains to be seen. But in Ottawa, at least, the conversation shows no sign of quieting down.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Defence Watch
