Toronto is beginning to feel like it’s under martial law as hundreds of police officers file into the city, helicopters fly overhead and secure barriers go up in the downtown core. The G20 Summit is transforming the city and the general consensus is that Torontonians aren’t happy about it.
Packs of police at least 12 deep are on the streets and the central police station looks like a fortress. The G20 is next weekend so it seemed a little premature to be beefing up security so soon but as one officer explained to us they had been flown in from Vancouver and were getting acquainted with the streets before the summit. I must say, it’s creepy.
And what is Toronto getting out of this anyway? Spending a billion dollar federal budget not only on security but on building ridiculous things like an indoor lake intended to simulate the natural landscape of Northern Ontario seems obscene when businesses are being forced to shut down for the weekend, losing tons of revenue. The enclosed area affects the Art Gallery of Ontario, The CN Tower and Rogers Centre, Air Canada Centre, the Princess of Wales Theatre and thousands of retail and services in the area.
Not to mention the local residents, who have to get security passes to go in and out of their homes and all city dwellers being highly inconvenienced by road closures, transit detours and congestion. People have had to reschedule weddings, concerts, and countless other events. The advisory is that those who can should get the f- outta Dodge but for those who aren’t that fortunate what can we expect – hiding out at home with a bottle of vodka and some canned goods? Maybe it’s all a bit alarmist – this whole summit thing. Maybe it really will bring the international political focus on Toronto/Canada and attract business and investment…?
The positive media spin is that this will showcase the city – reeeaaallly? Will these important world leaders go back to their respective countries and have fond memories of Toronto? Memories of man-made lakes, unobstructed motorcades, security barriers, openhanded funding and the biggest city core shut down since the 2003 blackout – what a showcase.
This is just the tip of the iceberg – if you want to know more follow these links:
“Police knew they had no extra arrest powers” – The Globe and Mail
“Civil liberties in Toronto Streets” – CBC News
Naomi Klein speaks against Police actions at G20 Summit