Protesters gathered on the corner of Elgin and Wellington ahead of the Speech from the Throne.

A protest in solidarity for Mi’kmaq First Nations was held outside the Canadian Senate as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Julie Payette delivered the much-anticipated throne speech on Sept. 23. 

The show of solidarity came in light of growing tension in Nova Scotia over the Sipekne’katik First Nation’s creation of a Mi’kmaq-regulated Moderate Livelihood lobster fishery. 

Anti-mask protestors in attendance voiced their disapproval of those wearing face masks during the protest. Officers from the Parliamentary Protection Service—tasked with protecting the Prime Minister and government officials—and officers from the Ottawa Police Service diffused the unrest between the two groups. No arrests were made during the protest.

Feature image by Jeff Pelletier

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