G8/G20: Gearing up for the biggest security event in Canadian history

Natalie Alcoba, National Post, February 22, 2010
http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/toronto/archive/2010/02/22/g8-g...
The G8 and G20 summits this summer will be the largest security event in Canadian history, officials said today.

The federal government announced last week it would host the G20 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre June 26-27, despite the city’s expressed wishes that it be at Exhibition Place. It will be preceded by the G8 in Huntsville, Ont.

In the 2001 Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, a three-metre concrete and wire fence encased a security zone around the meeting site, which included parliamentary and residential buildings. A blueprint of Toronto’s security perimeter has not been divulged, but there is already a glimpse of the force being amassed to protect those coming to and living in Toronto: the federal government’s “Integrated Security Unit” will include Toronto police, RCMP, the OPP, the Canadian Forces and Peel Region Police.

“Collaborative efforts required across law enforcement and security professionals to safely carry out these summits will result in the largest security event in Canadian history,” said a report presented to city council yesterday.

“There will be security, there will be disruptions,” Mayor David Miller told councillors yesterday, adding he understands local concerns about how it will all unfold. “I urge you to rise above those concerns... and think of the opportunity this city has this summer when we host the world.”

Councillors discussed matters related to cost in private yesterday. The federal government is expected to fund virtually all security costs (in the event items like police radios are purchased, and kept by the city, there will be a cost-sharing).

Economic development officials could not yet provide an estimate on how much money the summit will inject in the city, but there was “strong agreement” an event that brings dignitaries, business entourages and more than 3,000 journalists from around the world will be a good thing.

“It is probably the largest opportunity we’ll have for a long time to market this city to the world and its a terrific occasion to get the visibility we need and deserve,” said Michael Williams, general manager of economic development. He said he has spoken to officials in Pittsburgh, who described their turn hosting the G20 as “terrific.”

But some councillors expressed concerns about being able to recoup all the costs. Adam Vaughan, in whose ward (Trinity-Spadina) the meeting will be held, won support to ask the federal government post a bond up front to cover the costs of potential damage done to public and private property during the summit, and another that would be used to compensate businesses that may lose business because of the event.

“We have assurances from Ottawa that they will pay all of our additional costs for security,” Mr. Miller told reporters. And Toronto has learned from oversights by cities hosting other such events: “We’re getting it in writing.”

National Post
nalcoba@nationalpost.com