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2010 G20 Toronto summit

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G-20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy
File:2010 G-20 Toronto summit logo.jpg
Information
DateJune 26—27, 2010
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
ParticipantsG-20 + Ethiopia, Malawi, Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, Vietnam, the FSF, the ILO, the IMF, the OECD, the UN, the WBG, and the WTO
FollowsPittsburgh Summit, 2009
PrecedesSeoul Summit, 2010

The 2010 G-20 Toronto Summit is the fourth meeting of the G-20 heads of government in discussion of financial markets and the world economy which will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Set to take place during June 26—27, 2010, preparations for the summit began as early as April 2010. An Integrated Security Unit, consisting of police officers from different regional departments,[1] has been working on security in the Toronto region, especially in the Downtown area, where the summit will take place. The G-20 summit will take place immediately after the 36th G8 summit.

The summit was initially proposed by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take place in the town of Huntsville, Ontario where the G8 summit is also set to take place. The town was later deemed insufficient to provide hospitality for the large number of G-20 leaders, journalists, and protestors, and thus, the G-20 summit was later finalized to take place in Toronto.[2] Total security costs for both summits were estimated to be over $1 billion, an unprecedented security price tag.[3]

In his welcome speech at the G-20 sherpas' meeting, Harper announced the theme of the Toronto summit would be Recovery and New Beginnings,[4] referring to an economic stimulus from the impact of the ongoing world recession. The Toronto summit's agenda calls for evaluating the progress of the financial sector reform, further developing sustainable stimulus measures, and promoting open markets.[4][5] Harper also extended invitations to other non-G-20 heads of state and government to attend the summit. The summit will be followed by the fifth meeting during November in Seoul, South Korea.[6]

Preparations

File:450 g20 map.jpg
A map outlining security zones and traffic procedures during the summit dates.

Security officials began working on preparing for summit security as early as April 2010. Policing will be provided by the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The Peel Regional Police and the Canadian Armed Forces will aid in policing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga during the arrivals of world leaders. The five departments formed an Integrated Security Unit (ISU), similar to the ISU created during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. According to the Globe and Mail, 10,000 uniformed police officers, 1,000 security guards, and several Canadian military forces will be deployed during the summit.[7] The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) conducted Amalgam Virgo exercises on May 6-7 across the Greater Toronto Area using CF-18 Hornet jets, CH-124 Sea Kings and CH-146 Griffon helicopters at low altitudes.[8] Nav Canada announced that it would place restrictions on the airspace in Toronto. Airspace is limited to commercial flights only, all others will be restricted within a 30 kilometre radius. The total cost for security at both the G-8 and the G-20 summits was determined to be over $1 billion CAD,[9] which will be paid for by the federal government, excluding business damages.[10]

The surrounding areas of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre—specifically bordered by King Street to the north, Lake Shore Boulevard to the south, Yonge Street to the east, and Spadina Avenue/Blue Jays Way to the west—will be restricted to pedestrians and motorists.[7] The Convention Centre, itself, will be fenced and off-limits to civilians and protestors.[11] Toronto Police installed 77 additional closed-circuit television security cameras in the area, which would be in use exclusively during the summit dates. A film studio located on Eastern Avenue is designated as a temporary holding centre for any individuals that may be arrested during the time of the summit.[12] Toronto Police announced that Trinity Bellwoods Park would be the site for protesters, but following major opposition from local communities, police relocated the protesting site to north of Queen's Park. A media centre for international media personnel, journalists, and press will be set up at the Direct Energy Centre at the Exhibition Place during the summit.[13]

Major banks headquartered in Downtown Toronto, which happen to be the largest banks in Canada's banking industry, made plans to have employees work outside of their downtown headquarters and work in alternative working places, such as at home or in other branches.[14] Canada Post announced that it will be removing any post boxes in the security zone.[15] The three-game Major League Baseball (MLB) series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies, which were set to take place from June 25-27 at the Rogers Centre, was later relocated to be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia instead, after much discussion and amidst discontent from fans.[16][17][18] Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway stations located in the security zone (St. Andrew, Union and King) will remain open and subway service will remain operational.[7] Via Rail announced it will not operate at Union Station during the summit dates.[19] Porter Airlines were given permission to continue flights in and out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.[20] The PATH, CN Tower (including SkyWalk),[21] University of Toronto,[22] and the Ontario Legislative Building[23] will be closed down during the summit dates.

Wireless reception will be jammed temporarily along motorcade routes from Pearson International Airport to the Convention Centre.[24] The cellphone jammers will be done under exemptions of the Radiocommunications Act by the RCMP. Jammed signals will likely impact cellphone users along Highway 427, Highway 409 and the Gardiner Expressway, the likely routes to be used by the motorcades though it is not yet confirmed by the ISU due to security concerns.

Participating delegates

Participants of the Toronto summit were announced by Stephen Harper on May 8, 2010. Harper extended invitations to the leaders of Ethiopia and Malawi to further represent the continent of Africa, along with South Africa, already a G-20 member.[25] Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, and later Nigeria were also invited.[26] The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Labour Organization, as well as Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, and Vietnam will make their first G-20 summit attendances in Toronto.[27][28]

National representatives

G-20 members
Guest nations

Regional organizations

International organizations

Opposition and protests

The city speculates a large amount of protesters to be present during the G-20 summit. Preparations for demonstrations began many weeks prior to the summit dates. Toronto Police have decided to use a film studio on Eastern Avenue to temporarily detain arrested protesters during the summit. Toronto Police announced that they would use the area north of Queen's Park as the site for protesters after deciding against using Trinity Bellwoods Park which was opposed by local residents and communities.[29] A Canadian aboriginal group began preparing to stage protests in front of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as early as May. The Ontario Federation of Labour is also expected to lead a rally of 20,000 protesters in front of Queen's Park.

A Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) branch in The Glebe, Ottawa, Ontario was firebombed just before the dawn of May 18.[30] A video of the bank exploding was uploaded by the attackers, who were determined by the media to be anarchists, on YouTube along with a statement claiming their responsibility for the attack.[31] The statement cited the group's reason for their attack on RBC was because they were sponsors of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver which, the attackers claim, was held on "stolen indigenous land."[32] The attackers also confirmed their presence during the G-8 and G-20 summits in Huntsville and Toronto respectively.[33][34] This caused the G-8/G-20 Integrated Security Unit to increase their security measures.[35][36] The attacks were widely criticized by the media, politicians, especially other protesting groups who felt that the attacks posed consequences.[37][38][39] An individual was arrested for vandalism on May 28, after being caught spray painting anti-G-20 slogans on windows and automated teller machines in Downtown Toronto.[40]

See also

References

  1. ^ Toronto Police Service. "Toronto Police Service :: To Serve and Protect". Torontopolice.on.ca. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  2. ^ 6:26 EDT (2010-05-28). "Canada says spending nearly $1 billion on security for G-8 and G-20 summits is worth it". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2010-06-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/05/26/g8-g20-security-summit-toews.html
  4. ^ a b "G-20 Toronto Summit | Le Sommet du G-20 à Toronto » Summit Themes". G20.gc.ca. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  5. ^ "Prime Minister of Canada: Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada". Pm.gc.ca. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  6. ^ "Don't get your hopes up: Toronto's G20 simply a pit stop on the way to Seoul | Updated News". Updatednews.ca. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  7. ^ a b c "Canada, Labour and Employment, Toronto G8 and G20 Summits â€" Employer Planning Issues - Bennett Jones LLP - 06/05/2010, Health & Safety". Mondaq.com. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  8. ^ Canada (2010-05-06). "It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a terrifying display of military might". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  9. ^ http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/816123--what-can-1-billion-buy?bn=1
  10. ^ "CTV Toronto - Security chief defends high cost of G8-G20 summits - CTV News". Toronto.ctv.ca. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  11. ^ "Details of G20 fence announced". TheStar.com. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
  12. ^ "CTV Toronto - Protesters prepare for G20 demonstrations - CTV News". Toronto.ctv.ca. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  13. ^ "G-20 Toronto Summit | Le Sommet du G-20 à Toronto » Media Centre". G20.gc.ca. 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  14. ^ Canada. "Banks make plans for employees to work off-site during G20". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  15. ^ Canada (2010-05-04). "Keep those cards and letters coming..." The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  16. ^ "G20 summit scuppers Halladay's first trip to Toronto as a Philly". thestar.com. 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  17. ^ The Associated Press. "Halladay's Return To Toronto Is Rerouted to Philadelphia". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-20. {{cite news}}: Text "2010-05-11" ignored (help)
  18. ^ Canada. "Jays-Phillies series moving to Philadelphia". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  19. ^ "CTV Toronto - Via Rail to close at Union Station during G20 - CTV News". Toronto.ctv.ca. 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  20. ^ Canada (2010-05-05). "Business as usual for Porter?". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  21. ^ "CTV Toronto - Amid G20 security concerns, CN Tower to be shut - CTV News". Toronto.ctv.ca. 2010-05-16. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  22. ^ "CTV Toronto - U of T to shut down during G20 Summit - CTV News". Toronto.ctv.ca. 2010-05-24. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  23. ^ Rob Ferguson Queen’s Park Bureau. "Legislature closing for G20 summit". thestar.com. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  24. ^ http://www.680news.com/g20/article/64725--g8-g20-wireless-signal-blockers-unlikely-to-leave-cell-phone-users-in-a-jam
  25. ^ "Canadian Prime Minister invites Malawi, Ethiopia for G20 summit in Toronto". Newsudanvision.com. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  26. ^ "Canada invites Nigeria to G20 summit," Punch (Lagos). June 2, 2010.
  27. ^ "Prime Minister of Canada: PM announces participation of key leaders at the Toronto G-20 Summit this June". Pm.gc.ca. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  28. ^ "Ethiopia’s Zenawi, Four Other Leaders Invited To Join G20 Toronto Summit | AHN". Allheadlinenews.com. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2010-05-20. {{cite web}}: C1 control character in |title= at position 9 (help)
  29. ^ "Police chief reconfirms that Queen's Park will be designated protest area during G20 - CTV News, Shows and Sports - Canadian Television". CP24. 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  30. ^ "CBC News - Ottawa - RBC firebombed as protest, group claims". Cbc.ca. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  31. ^ Kraus, Krystalline (2010-05-20). "Anarchist group claims responsibility for Tuesday's bank firebombing". rabble.ca. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  32. ^ "Terrorism charges possible in bank firebombing: police - CTV News". Ctv.ca. 2010-05-19. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  33. ^ Jackson, Kenneth (2010-05-19). "Anarchy among anarchists after firebomb | Canada | News". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  34. ^ "Anarchists attempt to distance themselves from Ottawa bank firebombing". Ottawacitizen.com. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  35. ^ "Ottawa firebombing proves security need, Clement says". thestar.com. 2010-05-21. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  36. ^ "Wanted: 500 extra police for G20 summit | Posted Toronto | National Post". News.nationalpost.com. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  37. ^ By QMI Agency. "Brainless thugs all about mayhem | Editorial | Comment". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  38. ^ Canada. "Latvian ticket scam costs VANOC $2-million". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  39. ^ "Socialist Project | The Bullet". Socialistproject.ca. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  40. ^ By QMI Agency (2010-05-28). "Anti-G20 slogans spray-painted on T.O. banks | Canada | News". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
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