A defence industry trade show that sparked protests and arrests last year remained peaceful on Tuesday morning. The return of the Best Defence Conference coincides with increased federal government military spending. The conference is billed as an opportunity for industry and public safety contractors to connect with military officials and government procurement agencies. It attracts southwestern Ontario’s growing defence industry. On Tuesday, a smaller group of protesters threw jeers at attendees arriving at RBC Place. They also called on passersby to challenge the show’s presence. “This is your city that they are manufacturing death in!” said one person with a megaphone. In 2025, things were much more heated. London Police made an arrest after portions of RBC Place were damaged. Weeks later, police executed search warrants across the province, leading to more counts. This year, barricades blocked ground-level entrances except for the main doors. Uniform police officers were positioned to check IDs throughout the day. “We can say that we have police resources on hand in the event that they are needed. And if there are any instances of violence or property damage, they will be investigated,” said London Police Sergeant Sandasha Bough. Police later confirmed their liaison team was on scene to work with participants and to ensure public safety. Protester Kellin Johnson told CTV News they did not want a repeat of 2025. “We had some issues last year. This year, keeping it completely peaceful is our plan. We don’t want any conflict. We want to show up that we are on the side of peace and not war.” The protesters called on conference attendees to walk away from the trade show, which according to its website was sponsored by General Dynamic Land Systems-Canada, Western University, and other groups. Although not directly involved in the show, the London Chamber of Commerce later commented on how vital the defence sector is to the region. Kristen Duever, Chief Operating Officer said, “Defence is an economic issue as much as anything. It creates very high-paying jobs, skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and technology. So, it’s very important to our economy as well as to the country’s defence.”
