Canadian troops began exercises Sunday in Sherbrooke, Que. following delays caused by snow, protesters and border tie-ups. The maneuvers are aimed at simulating the combat environment soldiers will face in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The exercise, code-named Lion Royal, will see about 2,000 troops patrol the streets of Sherbrooke and come upon civilians with mock injuries. The soldiers, mostly based in Valcartier, Que., will also encounter a protest staged by pretend demonstrators.

But before the troops of 5th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group rolled from their tent city to begin their exercise, they met the real thing. Up to 200 activists from a range of groups marched to demand that Canada withdraw from Afghanistan.

Some complained the Canadian Armed Forces appeared to be occupying a Canadian city, while others complained about the U.S.-led operation in Iraq.

Later, a number of supportive civilians stopped on a nearby road to watch the soldiers as rain and snow fell.

Brig.-Gen. Jocelyn Lacroix, who will take command of the NATO operation charged with bringing security to the region around Kabul, said he would like to take the protesters to Afghanistan to show them what the army does.

"There are people over there who call us angels of peace. I have no doubt in my heart that we are there to do humanitarian work. But we must be prepared. There are people who would not hesitate to kill a Canadian."

A team of agriculture inspectors delayed the beginning of the army exercise by several hours. They ordered mud to be removed from vehicles that had been recently used in training exercises in New York state.

Then a snowstorm blew through northern New York state and closed highways. Some soldiers were delayed 24 hours.

Lt.-Col. Francois Riffou said military commanders finally decided to delay the exercises to avoid conflict with the protest.