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The shouting and heckling in the House of Commons had nothing to do with MPs yesterday, as about 200 environmental protesters disrupted Question Period and six were later banned from Parliament Hill for a year.

The drama then played out in Commons hallways, as television cameras captured security officers dragging protesters away.

Later, during the first episode of a new politics show on CBC, protester Jeh Custer was interviewed in studio with blood on his face. He said he had been thrown to the ground in a stairwell by the officers, a claim supported by his fellow demonstrators.

A spokesperson for House of Commons security noted Mr. Custer declined an offer of medical assistance. Two of the officers were sent to hospital with minor injuries.

During Question Period, the protesters waited quietly until NDP Leader Jack Layton rose to speak.

"Bill C-311," shouted one. "Sign it, sign it, sign it," called others. As some protesters were dragged off by Commons security guards, others popped up to continue the shouting, drowning out Mr. Layton.

Bill C-311 is an NDP bill that would set deep greenhouse-gas emission targets for Canada in advance of an international climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. Last week, a majority of Liberal MPs voted with the Conservatives to pass a motion that ensured the bill will not be passed in advance of the conference.

Mr. Layton later spoke in sympathetic terms when asked about the disruption. "I think a lot of people are very emotionally concerned about the issue," he said, "and they have got the science behind them."

With a report from Jane Taber