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Officials plan for G8 summit in Huntsville
How many people could descend on the area for next year's G8 Summit is anyone's guess, but it's expected to be on par with the 1984 papal visit when an estimated 70,000 pilgrims flocked to the region to catch a glimpse of John Paul II in Midland.
"It's very hard (to estimate the number of people)," said Kelly Magnusson, manager of emergency response with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, adding there will be delegates and their support staff, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other interest groups. "We've been given a very broad range by the provincial and federal governments."
The 36th annual G8 Summit comes to Huntsville's Deerhurst Resort next June, but preparations are already underway.
Pierre Chamberlain, media relations co-ordinator with OPP General Headquarters, is also the OPP spokesman leading up to the G8 summit. He said the OPP and other agencies including the RCMP, Toronto Police Service, North Bay Police Services and Canadian Forces have been working for almost a year to formulate a plan for security at the event.
"These things are not new to us," he said, noting the Pope's visit is one good example but the OPP has also provided officers for other G8 summits.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement said the 2010 G8 Summit will give Canada a chance to advance its interests, to advocate for open markets and free trade, and to champion freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Discussions about African aid and development are expected to be on the agenda at Deerhurst next summer from June 25-27, 2010.
The high-profile gatherings, dating back to 1975, have been a lightning rod for criticism and demonstrations over the years, including advocates for AIDS, global warming and African poverty. Protesters, activists and NGOs come from all over the world in hopes of having their message heard by some of the world's most powerful leaders.
This year's three-day summit began Wednesday in L'Aquila, Italy, a region devastated by a deadly earthquake last April. Dozens of activists from 18 countries occupied four coal-fired power plants across Italy, Wednesday, climbing smokestacks to hang banners, calling on leaders to fight climate change. On Tuesday, anti-globalization groups blocked roads and railroad tracks, and clashed with police in violent protests.
Chamberlain said the goal of the Integrated Support Unit is to provide security to visiting dignitaries, local residents and demonstrators.
"Our goal is to protect free speech and demonstrators," he said. "Free speech areas will be set up."
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