2008-06-20
HUNTSVILLE - Stephen Harper announced yesterday that the 2010 summit of eight leading industrialized nations will be held at a Huntsville resort.
Canada will host its fifth G8 summit at the Deerhurst Resort, the Prime Minister said while visiting the 320-hectare resort in the Muskoka region near Algonquin Park.
Mr. Harper said Huntsville, located about 220 kilometres north of Toronto, is an "ideal location" for the leaders of Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan and Italy to meet.
"Our international guests will be charmed by the uniquely Canadian beauty of the region and by the warm hospitality of Muskokans," Mr. Harper said in a news release.
On the agenda will be discussions about open markets and free trade, global action against climate change, and human rights, he said.
Hosting the summit will bring enormous economic benefits to the Muskoka region and beyond, Mr. Harper said.
"The 2010 G8 summit will provide short-and long-term economic benefits for the region and the province, and it will be an exceptional opportunity for Canada to advance its values and interests on the world stage," he said.
The government says the Deerhurst site met key considerations in choosing a venue, including appropriate accommodation, meeting facilities, transportation links and acceptable security conditions. The hotel has about 400 rooms that can host more than 1,000 people. There are also condominium-style accommodations scattered about the property, which also features a golf course, spa and private airstrip.