Canadians rally to back Egypt protests

People in Ottawa and Montreal joined demonstrations Friday to support the protests erupting in Egypt.

Almost 100 people gathered outside the Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa, while in Montreal, more gathered outside the Egyptian Consulate to demand President Hosni Mubarak be deposed and human rights in Egypt restored.

The support came as tensions rose substantially in Cairo, where thousands of protesters tried to storm the Foreign Ministry and state television buildings, and Mubarak ordered the military into the streets to back up the embattled police.

"I'm here today just to raise our voice, to let the people know here what's happening in Egypt …," said one man outside the embassy in Ottawa. "We're supporting our families, our friends, our population."

In Canada's 2006 census, 54,875 respondents identified themselves as being entirely or partly of Egyptian origin.

In Ottawa, demonstrator Moustafa Youssef told CBC News if he were in Cairo, he'd be protesting.

"It's what needs to be done to oust the president and get things going. Civil disobedience is necessary."

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Egypt remains an important partner for Canada. He added: "We urge the Egyptian government to ensure full freedom of political expression for its citizens."

More Canadian demonstrations are expected Saturday. In Toronto, people are expected to gather in Dundas Square at 1 p.m. ET.

For Egyptian-Canadians, a cut-off of phone and internet service in Egypt Friday has meant not being able to contact loved ones caught in the turmoil. 

One such person is Mohammed Shokr, who moved to Canada in 1980 and still has close family in Egypt. He told the CBC's Reshmi Nair in Toronto that he wasn't concerned for their safety yet.

"I think the situation is very serious, yes, but it's not dangerous as far as I see," he said. "The demonstrations have been very peaceful, or relatively peaceful so far. I am not concerned about their safety."

Foreign Affairs updated its Travel Report Friday afternoon to add a travel warning, advising Canadians "against non-essential travel Cairo, Alexandria and Suez due to civil unrest."   "Major demonstrations are occurring in these cities," the report on Foreign Affairs's travel.gc.ca website said.

"There are reports of large scale arrests, property damage, injuries, and deaths from injuries sustained during the protests. A curfew is currently imposed.

"Canadians are advised to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings, monitor local news reports and follow the advice of local authorities," the advisory continued.  

A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs said Friday there were no immediate reports of Canadians being injured, and that Foreign Affairs officials and at the Canadian Embassy in Cairo are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens as required.

Foreign Affairs said there are approximately 6,500 Canadians currently in Egypt, with another 80,000 to 90,000 Canadian tourists travelling to Egypt every year.