The presence of pro-LTTE groups dominating demonstrations in Toronto, Canada is giving an impression that all Tamil demonstrators are supportive of a terrorist group, say several political and government leaders of Canada.

“Tamil-Canadian protests are giving people the idea that a terrorist group is part of the demonstrations,” the Conservative government said yesterday (11 May), as there were protests including one that shut down a Toronto highway on the weekend.

The Tamil Tigers are considered a terrorist group by the Canadian government.

According to the Canada Press, Minister of International Co-operation Bev Oda said she noticed red flags being flown at the protests bearing the symbol of the Liberation Tigers in these demonstrations, while some protesters chanted their support for the Tamil Tigers at Sunday's highway protest.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said the Liberals unequivocally condemn the Tamil Tigers. "The Liberal Party of Canada stands firmly against terrorism, and I restate our unequivocal condemnation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam," he added. Ignatieff also issued a statement urging that future protests should be lawful.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty also assailed the tactics of the protesters who shut down the highway, saying the bloodshed in Sri Lanka does not justify such action.

The highway protest trapped dozens of motorists and forced police to close the Gardiner and the Don Valley Parkway for up to six hours.

"My daughter worked in Sri Lanka for close to a year as an aid worker, so I have some understanding of the nature of the challenges," McGuinty said.

"I understand the passions which are here, but having said that, there is a right way and a wrong way to protest."

A small handful of Tamil protesters gathered on the front lawn of the Ontario legislature Monday, which is exactly the place McGuinty said they should take their concerns rather than blocking city streets.

"They're always welcome to protest on the front lawn of Queen's Park or Parliament Hill," he said.

McGuinty also said he would not second-guess the police's decision to close the highways for hours Sunday to accommodate the protesters.

"I believe they've made the right kind of decisions to deal with these kinds of issues," the premier said.

The highway protest trapped dozens of motorists and forced police to close the Gardiner and the Don Valley Parkway for up to six hours. It ended just after midnight.