Jeff Shantz, Ontario
Over November 30 - in Ottawa - and December 1 - in Halifax - US President George Bush made his first official visit to Canada to participate in bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Paul Martin and the ruling Liberal caucus.
Bush also found time to meet with Stephen Harper, the leader of parliament's official opposition, and members of the Republican-inspired Conservative Party.
At the top of Bush's agenda was pressuring the Canadian government to accept Washington's plans for the weaponisation of space through the Strategic Defence Initiative, as well as leaning on Martin to step up Canadian involvement in Iraq.
While a massive deployment of security forces sheltered Bush and Martin during their "working meetings" and exclusive dinners, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Ottawa to oppose their warmongering plans. A broad cross-section of people, including unionists, native people, unemployed workers, immigrants and refugees, arrived in Ottawa from all over eastern Canada and north-eastern US to take part in mass demonstrations throughout November 30.
At least 15,000 people took part in a raucous march from Ottawa City Hall to the federal parliament buildings. Following this march, a militant group of more than 1000 demonstrators marched to the Chateau Laurier, the exclusive hotel that Bush called home while in Ottawa. Protesters managed to break through several layers of barricades. Eventually riot police managed to secure the location, and eight protesters were arrested.
Later, while Bush feasted on Alberta beef and Nova Scotia lobster more than 1000 people faced off with riot cops outside the museum. Eleven people were arrested at that action, including a couple who were reportedly beaten while in custody. At the same time as the Ottawa demonstrations, mass actions against Bush took place across Canada, including major actions in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto (where financial centre Bay Street was covered in red paint and messages reading "Bay Street is bathed in Baghdad's blood".
Following his day in Ottawa, Bush travelled to Halifax. He stated forcefully that the US expected Canada to endorse and participate in the missile defence program, muc to the unease of Martin, who, leading only a minority government, wanted to avoid the controversy. Bush also pointedly suggested that Canada needed to play a bigger part in Iraq and future military adventures.
As in Ottawa, Bush was confronted by thousands of people in the streets condemning US policies and demanding Bush's arrest as a war criminal.
From Green Left Weekly, December 8, 2004.
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