Tourists visiting Parliament Hill Tuesday were taken by surprise when PETA demonstrators arrived stripped down to floral pasties, thongs and blue paint.
PHOTOS: PETA STRIPS DOWN IN OTTAWA
The nine women, dressed to represent the Earth, were there to protest the Conservatives' omnibus budget bill and to encourage Canadians to go vegan.
"Canadians have the power to make a huge impact on the environment simply by going vegan, not eating meat is arguably the single most effective thing you can do to reduce your climate change impact," said Ottawa resident Emily Lavender.
"According to the United Nations, the meat industry is part of the top two or three biggest contributors to the most major environmental problems we are facing today, from the destruction of the rainforest, air, water pollution, land degradation, water shortages, the loss of lots of biodiversity and also climate change."
Lavender said the naked protest was a "fun and upbeat way" to get a across a very serious message that is often overlooked.
So what does this protest have to do with Bill C-38?
"We just want to let anyone know that is concerned about the environmental impacts that they can do something, they can vote every day in restaurants and in grocery stores with their dollars by choosing vegan options ... Everyone should be doing their part to preserve the environment. Not everyone can afford a hybrid car, but everyone can go vegan. It's the easiest, cheapest and most efficient way to help save the planet and animals," the 23-year-old Lavender said.
PHOTOS: PETA STRIPS DOWN IN OTTAWA
