NATO military leaders met in Victoria on Saturday afternoon as a small but vocal crowd of protesters denounced the organization.

The protest, dubbed a No to NATO rally, attracted about 300 people. They objected to the military leaders meeting in "my backyard," to Canada's role in Afghanistan and to NATO's change from a defensive alliance, its original purpose.

A Victoria police officer threads heavy wire through a temporary fence in front of the Hotel Grand Pacific Friday before the NATO meetings.
(Deddeda Stemler/Canadian Press)

"We're saying it no longer has any rationale for its existence, the way it's being used these days," said Phil Lyons, a spokesman for a coalition of peace groups.

Police patrolled the peaceful protest, which started under sunny skies at about 1 p.m. PT. It ended several hours later with a party-like atmosphere, CBC reporter Chris Brown said.

The NATO meeting brought together 26 generals to discuss the organization's current and future operations.

The Victoria military meeting is taking place in the midst of a growing tension over the increasing violence in Afghanistan. It's on the agenda, but it's not the main item, with the focus this weekend being larger than any single war zone, spokesman Lt.-Col. Tony White said.

Talks about NATO's 'future operations'

"The discussions are going to be very strategic. It's going to be about how does NATO prepare itself and have the right capabilities for today, but more importantly, for future operations."

Gen. Ray Henault, chairman of NATO's military committee and former chief of Canada's defence staff, said the alliance has not received formal notice from the federal government that it intends to end its combat commitment in Afghanistan.

Opposition leaders have demanded Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally announce Canada will end its combat mission in the country in February 2009.

Henault said the alliance anticipates there will be changes but has not begun the formal process of scouting out replacement nations.