Hundreds gather at the EY Centre in protest against the weapons and defence industry

Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the EY Centre on June 1 in Ottawa for a convention that supports the weapon and defence industry.

The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) is responsible for organizing the convention called CANSEC, which happens to be North America's largest multi-service defence event.

Protesters blocked access to the opening of the convention holding banners that said 'Blood On Your Hands', 'Stop Profiting From War', and 'Arms Dealers Not Welcome'. 

In attendance was Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand, 55 international delegations, and thousands of attendees including manufacturers, military technology and supply companies, media outlets, and government agencies.

Canada has become one of the world's top arms dealers globally, and is the second biggest weapons supplier to the Middle East region.