Surpassing the Vancouver Olympics, the Pope’s visit to Toronto and even the volatile Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, officials said Monday the G8 and G20 summits this summer will be the largest security event in Canadian history.
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 summit taking place 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 both 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 Ontario Provincial Police, 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 Monday.
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Notes:
Personally, I’m getting a wee bit tired of the bullshit and expense regarding these events. Hold the meetings on Baffin Island and feed the delegates seal meat. What’s not to love about that?
Move the meeting to Resolute and I’ll bet the security costs will drop.
Or just use skype and it’ll be free.
It’s the Triple Crown of Security… an Olympics, a G20 AND a G8, all in one year.
As far as I know, it’s never been done by any country before. If PMSH is serious about cutting costs, how about learning to say “NO” to such unreasonable demands?
So close to Union Station …
Commuting is going to be HELL this June