Taxpayers’ group decries spending on G8, G20 summits

HUNTSVILLE, Ont. — It is being billed as one of the largest security events ever held in Canada.

But just three months before the tiny community of Huntsville and Toronto play host to the G8 and G20 summits, respectively, a taxpayers group is questioning whether the millions of dollars spent to prepare for the events is worth it.

The federal government is expected to spend $179.4 million on security and planning for both summits, which begin June 25 in Huntsville in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country and end June 27 in Toronto, about 200 kilometres to the south.

The majority of these funds will go toward the RCMP, with the force getting $131.7 million. The remaining cost is split between the Department of Public Safety, the Department of National Defence, Industry Canada and Canada’s spy agency — CSIS. The Canadian Forces, along with provincial and municipal police forces will also have a presence during the three-day event.

Kevin Gaudet with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said that instead of spending millions the government should rein in the cost of these “lavish” events, particularly since the country is getting over a recession.

“They shouldn’t spend a penny,” he said in Toronto. “There’s crazy spending going on and we don’t need these events. How many times do we need to get politicians together to have champagne and caviar at the taxpayers’ expense?”

The annual summits, where world leaders discuss topics of global concern ranging from terrorism to the economy, are also expected to attract thousands of protesters and more than 3,000 members of the international media.

It’s the first time Canada has played host since the G8 was held in Kananaskis, Alta., in 2002, less than a year after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Much of the funding outside of security costs is going toward upgrading infrastructure in Huntsville, a town of 20,000 near the western edge of Algonquin Park.

Tens of millions have been spent on renovating the airport in North Bay, 120 kilometres further north, and there’s a $9-million centre in Huntsville itself, which will be turned into a research centre by the University of Waterloo following the G8 meeting.

The meeting, dubbed the “Black Fly Summit” by some because of cottage country’s reputation for also hosting the pesky insects, will be held at the posh Deerhurst Resort just outside downtown Huntsville on Peninsula Lake.

The century-old, 320-hectare resort, which boasts a world-class 18-hole golf course, is located in Ontario’s Muskokas, an area that has been a summer destination for such stars as actress Goldie Hawn and singer Shania Twain.

Gaudet said Huntsville should never have been chosen to play host to the G8, and that a large city such as Toronto or Calgary should have been picked because they are better equipped to handle the thousands who are expected to descend on the meeting.

In fact, it was originally planned for Huntsville to hold both the G8 and G20, until the latter meeting was moved to the Toronto Convention Centre over crowd-control issues.

But John Kirton, director of the G8 research group at the University of Toronto, said although the initial money being spent on the meeting may seem high, the rewards will bring millions of future tourism dollars to Huntsville.

“We do know that hosting a G8 summit puts a location on the global map,” he said. “The general rule is that the smaller the locality, the more likely the global community has not heard of it before and the bigger the benefit.”

He likened Huntsville being chosen to it receiving a pot of gold, despite some concerns raised by locals about the traffic headaches and the security concerns surrounding their small-town life.

“It’s not as if they are spending the money just for the summit, that it is one great burst of conspicuous consumption,” said Kirton. “A lot of the money is being put into the infrastructure. It’ll be long-lasting and live on.”

Huntsville Mayor Claude Doughty said townspeople understand what a privilege it is to host the meeting, and the imprint it will leave on the town.

“For everyone else, it will be over in two days, but the big thing is that it will leave a tremendous legacy for our community,” said Doughty. “We’ve been talking about it for so long. It’s going to be a moment for Huntsville to shine.”

The central Ontario town, surrounded by pristine lakes, deep woods and stunning vistas, hopes to show visitors that it is not only a vacation spot, but a community with a lot more to offer.

“We’re blessed with a wonderful setting for our community. We have performing arts theatres, lots of great restaurants, resorts, natural beauty and an opportunity for recreation,” he said. “It’s that blend of those elements that will make those who visit Huntsville this summer want to come back and enjoy it again.”

Lorraine Morin, owner of Soul Sistas Wellness Kitchen, has been preparing a G8 menu based on local and organic ingredients.

“Excitement has definitely been building,” said Morin, who has owned the downtown Huntsville cafe for two years.

She said some locals have talked about leaving town for a few days during the summit, but most are staying to offer some small-town Ontario hospitality.

“We have a really vibrant art crowd here,” she said. “We have a good core group of people in this town. There’s a community spirit that’s really welcoming to everyone from out of town.”

Robin Brushey with the Huntsville BIA — the Business Improvement Area — said it will be an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their uniquely Ontario products.

Among them are a coffee shop that sells roasted Muskoka grounds and a Group of Seven gallery that has murals replicating the works of Tom Thomson and others. Considered one of Canada’s most renowned artists, Thomson spent a lot of time in Huntsville and nearby Algonquin Park, which inspired some of his landscape paintings.

“We can only guess the lasting impact,” Brushey said.

The G8 and G20 meetings will be attended by world leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Barbara Perentes, who owns Louis II Restaurant, a popular eatery with locals, is excited about catching a glimpse of Obama.

“If anyone is going to come into town, it’ll be him. He seems more popular and friendly than the other ones,” she said. “And if he comes into Louis’s, I’ll definitely recommend the caesar salad. The garlic will stick with you for a few days.”

linnguyen@canwest.com

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Taxpayers%20group%20decries%20spendi...