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G8 SUMMIT: ‘It’s assumed planes will land in North Bay"
As soon as the federal government announced Huntsville would play host to the 2010 G8 summit, it was presumed Jack Garland Airport would have an integral part in the three-day event.
Other than the announcement of a $10-million investment to repave the runway —
$5 million from the G8 fund — nothing has been publicly confirmed.
Kevin Johnson, consul general of the United States, was in North Bay Wednesday and said nothing has been “formally announced, however it’s assumed planes will land in North Bay.
“There’s been some big improvements made here, but all those logistics regarding press and where planes will land — the Canadian government has the lead.”
Johnson, who arrived in Canada in August, has been touring Ontario visiting air defence sectors. He arrived in North Bay Wednesday and was expected to stop in Huntsville Thursday.
“The G8 is one of the main reasons why I want to stop in Huntsville. I want to look around and get a general idea of the area, some initial impressions,” he said.
“When it gets closer to the date I will visit the actual site.”
Johnson said the Huntsville site was chosen to host the world leaders because it’s small, making logistics easier.
The summit is held annually and offers leaders from Canada, France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan and Italy a chance to meet and discuss approaches to challenges.
The gathering takes place at Deerhurst June 25 to 27.
New passport regulations for border crossings into the United States and Canada have also kept Johnson busy.
“It’s gone very well. There hasn’t been many cases of people turning around,” Johnson said.
“The border is a concern for both countries. There’s a number of things that need to get better, but we also have to make sure trade and tourism isn’t stopped,” he said.
“But we’re also not going back to the way things were prior to 9-11.”
Johnson’s background in politics has taken him around the world to tropical and frigid climates.
There’s just one thing the consul general in Toronto is not ready for — Ontario winters.
“My wife and I don’t particularly like the cold,” he said.
“But since we arrived in Toronto Aug. 21, the city has had the longest number of dry days this summer. I feel lucky to work in Toronto, it’s so international and a very vibrant city.”
Source: http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1768363