The 52nd Annual Juno Awards was not without controversy, as a topless protester interrupted Avril Lavigne’s introduction of AP Dhillon.

The woman stormed the stage with a message written on her back: “SAVE THE GREEN BELT” – an apparent reference to a controversial development plan by the Ontario government.

Initially, Lavigne ignored the protestor but then turned around and swatted at her chest as she said, “Get the f–k off,” and added one more time, “Get the f–k off, bitch.” The singer’s aggressive response stunned the audience, but she quickly regained her composure.

A male security guard escorted the woman off the stage.

It wasn’t made immediately clear if she was kicked out of the venue entirely.

Later in the evening, Marvel star Simu Liu, the host of the awards, praised Lavigne for “handling that topless lady like a champion.”

Avril Lavigne, 38, received the TikTok Juno Fan Choice Award later in the evening.

During her acceptance speech, she joked, “Now nobody try anything this time.

I’ll f–k a bitch up.” The incident did not seem to have dampened her spirits, and she was all smiles as she accepted the award.

“The JUNO Awards is a celebration of Canadian music and the artists who make it.

We take every step to avoid interruptions to our program, but there are always risks with live events and broadcasts,” a representative for the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences said in a statement.

“We hope tonight’s brief disruption doesn’t take away from the accomplishments of this year’s performers, winners and nominees.”

Despite being honored that evening, Lavigne’s new beau, Tyga, did not attend the event with her.

The couple had sparked romance rumors while appearing together at Paris Fashion Week events, and decided to confirm their relationship with a kiss at the end of their trip.

Lavigne recently called off her engagement to fellow musician Mod Sun, who had proposed to the “Girlfriend” singer in Paris.

The ceremony was held at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Weeknd took home five awards, and Nickelback was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The incident involving the topless protester was not the only disruption at the event.

A group of climate change activists staged a rally outside the venue, demanding action from the Canadian government to combat the effects of global warming.

The protesters carried signs and chanted slogans as they marched through the streets.

The controversial development plan referenced by the topless protester has been a point of contention in Ontario for some time.

The proposal involves building a highway through protected land known as the Greenbelt, which is home to numerous species of plants and animals.