FOG BLOG CANADA LOG: TRUDEAU KICKS OFF CANADA - EU SUMMIT IN ST. JOHN'S NL WITH POLICE PRESENCE!

Protesters held back by police as Canada-EU summit kicks off in St. John's brewpub

Global conflicts, green hydrogen take centre stage as mini summit begins As some of the wealthiest and most influential people in Newfoundland and Labrador welcomed world leaders inside a St. John's bar Thursday night, dozens of police officers held back an equal number of protesters outside.

They chanted for an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and a free Palestine. They chanted for politicians to be charged with genocide.

When they got too close to the narrow road outside Quidi Vidi Brewery, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary herded the protesters back to the curb and stood in a line opposite them, with a pair of officers on horses hanging back from the crowd.

The scene was visible from the rear windows of the bar, but the Canadian prime minister made no reference to the tensions outside as he introduced the heads of the European Council and European Commission.

"I'll be your MC for the evening," he joked. "My name is Justin."