Protesters attempted to shut down CANSEC, the largest defence and security convention in Canada, on May 28. Demonstrations began early in the morning, forming a line near the two entrances of the Ottawa Cohere Centre. They were met with close to a hundred police officers from Ottawa Police Services and Ontario Provincial Police in riot gear.
CANSEC is an expo which showcases the newest weapons technology for naval, aerospace, and land-based forces to international military and government delegates. Mark Carney was the first Prime Minister to attend the conference in its 29-year history, where he announced the purchase of a new radar system, GlobalEye, from the Swedish defence company Saab.
“We should not be allowing them to purchase weapons in Canada.”
Protesters arrived at 7 a.m., carrying signs decrying the presence of defence industry representatives in their city. Community Liaison for the coalition to Shut Down CANSEC and member of the National Steering Committee of Labour for Palestine, Hassan Husseini told The Leveller, “We are sending a message that imperialist wars are not going to be supported.” Husseini explained that the protesters want to see the conference shut down for good.
When asked about the heavy police presence, Husseini said, “Their response is always over the top. Even when we are trying to negotiate with police liaisons, other officers undermine the dialogue by pushing protesters.”
In past years, there have been more arrests and clashes with police. In 2025, CTV reported 13 arrests at the protest to shut down CANSEC, mostly of attendees for mischief or assaulting police. This year’s event had no reported arrests. Only one major conflict happened during a brief skirmish when protesters rushed to block an unguarded entrance. The police responded by pushing and shoving demonstrators. Several protestors were pushed by the throat.
The protest organizers corralled people away from confrontation with officers, often ceding ground to police in the process. Protesters routinely yelled insults and chants at convention attendees, but beyond forcing many attendees to walk rather than drive in, they did not have a substantial impact on the conference.
Protestors yelled “child killer,” “war criminal,” and “find a real job” toward CANSEC attendees who were escorted by police on the way into the conference. Some attendees blew kisses and took selfies in front of protesters. Others walked by, ignoring the shouts entirely.
While protesters outside the conference chanted “shut down CANSEC” and “you are arming genocide,” inside the Cohere Centre (formerly the EY Centre before rebranding in April), attendees had the opportunity to sit in an F-35 and take selfies on board. Other attendees tested out iPad-controlled turrets or took turns holding 3D-printed sniper rifles. Afterwards, attendees discussed potential purchases at food trucks in the parking lot of the Centre
“It’s really the fanfare that disgusts me,” said one protester. “The city rolls out the red carpet for these arms dealers. It makes me sick.”
The scene at the Cohere Centre in Ottawa on May 28, where protests against the CANSEC weapons trade show were met by a combination of OPP and OPS forces in riot gear. Photographs by Joshua Bezanson
Other protesters pointed out the complicity of conference organizers and participants. “It’s known now that there is a genocide in Palestine and Lebanon. No one can ignore this,” community member Hassan Moustafa told The Leveller, “Anyone who does business with companies that make weapons used in these genocides is complicit.”
Protesters expressed particular frustration at the arms companies that provided weapons to the American military. Many protesters told The Leveller that they were “fed up” with American attacks on Venezuela and Iran, which they viewed as newer forms of imperialism or as an example of American expansion into other countries’ territory.
Former MPP Joel Harden expressed his pride in the community for showing up and communicating their anger. “Ottawans have been protesting since the 80s when they shut down the ARMX conference.” ARMX was a previous form of CANSEC, as reported last month by The Leveller.
The Leveller asked Harden if he supports the government purchasing weapons for the Canadian military. Harden said that he has no “antipathy” to the military, but he does have a problem with the guest list at CANSEC. Harden highlighted that weapons sold and purchased by the Israeli delegation are used on Palestinian civilians, and criticized the federal Liberal government for their participation in the event, as well as their failure to close legal loopholes which can funnel arms to Israel. “Either we believe in these principles, or we don’t. This government is more focused on sales than values.”
Harden also expressed dismay at the Indian delegation’s presence. “The Indian government murdered a Canadian citizen in 2023. We should not be allowing them to purchase weapons in Canada.”
The scene at the Cohere Centre in Ottawa on May 28, where protests against the CANSEC weapons trade show were met by a combination of OPP and OPS forces in riot gear. Photographs by Joshua Bezanson
Around 11 a.m., protest organizers told demonstrators they would be leaving safely as a group. There were a handful of closing speeches where organizers told the crowd they would be back next year in greater numbers to completely shut down CANSEC. Demonstrators headed to the Uplands O-rain station, past lines of police in riot gear.
“The city rolls out the red carpet for these arms dealers. It makes me sick.”
When The Leveller attempted to speak to late-coming CANSEC attendees lined up at the station, officers escorted journalists away, saying the attendees “needed to do their jobs.” Protesters yelled final insults through the chain link fence as they shuffled onto trains.
Thanks for the story. You mention the various protesters arrested at the events over the years. Most never go to any trial and the charges are withdrawn by the Crown. Usually, because there is no case! The OPS use the charges as an intimidation tactic. However, you failed to mention in the story that one CANSEC attendee, David Henschel, assaulted two protesters in 2024. He was charged with assaulting one of them. It was caught on video. He proclaimed “I’m a f*@king racist and proud of it” He pleaded guilty and appeared in an Ottawa court on June 5, 2026 for his sentencing hearing. The judge will give his sentence on July 13, 2026. That is an important part of the story that is missing, if you are gathering facts.
CLARIFICATION:
MPP Joel Harden expressed his pride in the community for showing up and communicating their anger. “Ottawans have been protesting since the 80s when they shut down the ARMX conference.”
The first ARMX protest was in 1989.
Yes, “since the 80s” but the last year of the 1980s.
The author chose to focus on the 2026 protest.
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