HUNTSVILLE – G8 security organizers are adjusting security zone planning because of last month’s decision to move the G20 Summit to Toronto.
Representatives from the Integrated Security Unit, which organizes summit security, told Huntsville residents at a town hall meeting Friday there will likely be fewer delegates and protestors in town during the day-and-a-half summit than anticipated when both the G8 and G20 were scheduled to take place consecutively in Muskoka.
“It changes your planning assumptions …. On a security operation, we need to know the final plans for (how many people are attending) the event before we cast it in stone and say, ‘These are the security requirements,’” said Tim Charlebois from the Integrated Security Unit to reporters following the town hall meeting. Charlebois is the planning and operations co-ordinator for the Ontario Provincial Police for both the 2010 Olympics and the G8 Summit.
On the planning and programming side, Sanjeev Chowdhury, director general of programs for the Summits Management Office, said there could be a reduction in the number of delegates.
For example, people travelling specifically for international finance discussions, the focus of the G20, will just go to Toronto.
The ISU is working on the assumption that more people will show up to protest in Toronto than Huntsville.
“It’s probably safe to assume; it’s easier to access a city,” said RCMP chief superintendent Alphonse MacNeil.
At a previous town hall at the Algonquin Theatre, two security zones were announced: one around the leaders and Deerhurst Resort, where the summit is taking place; and a larger zone outside that.
Portions of Hwy. 60 will also be restricted, with access to residents and emergency vehicles only. Officials aren’t sure where the zones will end.
They also don’t yet know where the designated free speech zone for protestors will be.
Information will come soon, said MacNeil. “There are only about five months and a little bit left, so assume that those announcements are going to be made.”
“Things are accelerating,” said Parry Sound-Muskoka member of Parliament Tony Clement to reporters.
“We’re moving ahead. We’re moving forward,” he told an almost full Algonquin Theatre.
The G8 Summit is taking place at Deerhurst Resort June 25-26 and the G20 in Toronto immediately after.
The G20 had been planned for Muskoka but, due to size constraints, was moved south. The SMO is planning both events, but there is no word on the Toronto venue of the G20.
Charlebois said the ISU community relations group has identified 95 per cent of the people who live within the security zones and encourage people who haven’t been contacted to talk to the ISU.
People who live in the zones will be free to come and go, but for security reasons, the ISU needs to know who lives there.
Outside the security zone, it’s business as usual, said Charlebois.
What follows are some of the questions from the audience at the meeting:
Q: Does foreign law enforcement have any jurisdiction in Canada?
A: An ISU representative told the audience that any foreign police officers who come to Canada will be here working directly with security officials, not dealing with the public.
Q: Will there be a family program for spouses and children of the delegates?
A: It’s too early to say, said Sanjeev Chowdhury, director general programs for the Summits Management Office. “We have to keep in mind that the event, as the prime minister has said numerous times, is a back-to-basics event …. This is really a business meeting for the G8.” Parry Sound-Muskoka member of Parliament Tony Clement told the audience he would talk to Laureen Harper, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife, to pursue that.
Q: What about schools and school bus transportation?
A: Charlebois said the ISU is working with area school boards and the Ministry of Education to develop a plan. Ultimately, he said it’s a decision that is up to the Ministry and school board.
Q: Will there be medical facilities within the security zone should there be a medical emergency?
A: They’ll be enough services within the security zones to support security personnel and residents within security zones. The presence of ambulances and air ambulances will not be diminished.
Q: Are there any updates on the closed air space that could happen around the Muskoka Airport?
A: ISU officials said it still hasn’t been determined.