2010 G20 Toronto summit

G-20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy

Information
Date	June 26–27, 2010
Location	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Participants	G-20 + Ethiopia, Malawi, Netherlands, Nigeria, Spain, Vietnam, the FSF, the ILO, the IMF, the OECD, the UN, the WBG, and the WTO
Follows	Pittsburgh Summit, 2009
Precedes	Seoul Summit, 2010

The 2010 G-20 Toronto Summit is the fourth meeting of the G-20 heads of government in discussion of financial markets and the world economy, which will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Set to take place during June 26–27, 2010, the summit was initially proposed to be held in the town of Huntsville, Ontario, where the concurrent 36th G8 summit will take place, by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The town was later deemed insufficient to provide hospitality for the large number of G-20 delegates and journalists, thus the G-20 summit was later finalized to take place in Toronto.

In his welcome speech at the G-20 sherpas' meeting, Harper announced the theme of the Toronto summit would be Recovery and New Beginnings, referring to an economic stimulus from the impact of the ongoing world recession. The summit's agenda calls for evaluating the progress of financial reform, developing sustainable stimulus measures, debating global bank tax, and promoting open markets.

Since April 2010, an Integrated Security Unit, consisting of police officers from different regional departments, has been working on security in the Downtown core, where the summit will take place. Police officials have chosen locations to detain protestors and map traffic detours which would be in place during the two day summit. Several local events which were set to take place during the time of the summit have been affected due to their proximity to the summit location. Total cost, including security, infrastructure, and hospitality for both summits was determined to be approximately C$1.1 billion. The summit is part of the largest and most expensive security operation in Canadian history.

Preparations

Security

Security fencing erected along the middle of Wellington Street

Security officials began preparing for summit security as early as April 2010. Policing and patrolling will be provided by the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Canadian Forces. The Peel Regional Police will aid in policing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga during the arrivals of world leaders. The five departments formed an Integrated Security Unit (ISU), similar to the ISU created during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Calgary Police Service supplied 150 police volunteer officers a week before the summit.

According to the Globe and Mail, 10,000 uniformed police officers, 1,000 security guards, and several Canadian military forces will be deployed during the summit. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) conducted Amalgam Virgo exercises on May 6–7 across the Greater Toronto Area using CF-18 Hornet jets, CH-124 Sea Kings and CH-146 Griffon helicopters at low altitudes. The total cost for security at both the G8 and the G-20 summits was determined to be $930 million. The entire cost will be handled by the federal government, excluding local business damages.

The security perimeter begins with the outer boundary, specifically bordered by King Street to the north, Lake Shore Boulevard to the south, Yonge Street to the east, and Spadina Avenue to the west, which will be restricted to security officials and G-20 delegates only. Residents who live within the security zone were issued registration cards prior to the summit. Other pedestrians who wish to enter the security zone can only do so at one of 38 checkpoints and are required to present two pieces of photo identification and provide reasoning for entry. The surrounding area of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, itself, will be fenced and off-limits to civilians and protestors. Erecting the $5.5 million 3 metre-high unscalable fence began June 7. The fence was contracted out to SNC-Lavalin by Public Works and Government Services Canada and installed by two Gormley, Ontario-based companies. Toronto Police installed 77 additional closed-circuit television security cameras in the area and purchased four Long Range Acoustic Devices which would be in use exclusively during the summit. The ISU decided on also using water cannons for riot control.

A film studio located on Eastern Avenue was designated as a temporary holding centre for any individuals that may be arrested during the time of the summit. Toronto Police announced that Trinity Bellwoods Park would be the site for protesters, but following major opposition from local communities, police relocated the protesting site to north of Queen's Park. Canada Post announced that it will be removing any post boxes in the security zone. Toronto Parking Authority removed some parking meters in the security zone. Small trees along sidewalks around the convention centre were removed to prevent them from being used as weapons by protesters. Other removed municipal property include 29 bus shelters, 745 newspaper boxes, 70 mailboxes, 5 public information boards, 200 public trash cans, benches, and public washrooms.

Media accommodation

A media centre for international media personnel, journalists, and press reporters was set up at the Direct Energy Centre at the Exhibition Place during the summit. A 20,000 square-foot pavilion called Experience Canada was set up in the media centre to promote international marketing of Canadian tourism. The pavilion includes a life-size government-funded display titled The Canadian Corridor, an artificial lakefront based on the Muskoka region's cottage country. The display included donated canoes, a shoreline with deck chairs for journalists to cool-off, and a mobile phone recharging station. The background is a large screen that portrays various images of the Muskoka region. The costs of the international media centre, the Experience Canada pavilion, and artificial lake, which were $23 million, $1.9 million, and $57,000 respectively, was the target of political debate and controversy.

Business, events and tourism

Stores apply wooden boards to windows and entrances ahead of the summit to prevent vandalism from protests

Major banks headquartered in Downtown Toronto, which happen to be the largest banks in Canada's banking industry, made plans to have employees work outside of their downtown headquarters and work in alternative working places, such as at home or in other branches. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario announced closure of seven of its liquor stores in Downtown during the summit dates as a precaution to looting. The PATH, CN Tower, University of Toronto, Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Ontario Legislative Building will be closed down during the summit dates.

The three-game Major League Baseball series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies, which was set to take place from June 25 to 27 at the Rogers Centre, was later relocated to be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia instead, after much discussion and amidst discontent from fans. The Rogers Centre is located next door to the Metro Convention Centre, and is on the outer security perimeter for the event. Mirvish Productions cancelled production of their two musicals Rock of Ages and Mamma Mia! during the week of the summit. Similarly, Factory Theatre also cancelled shows during the summit week.

Highway 427 and the Gardiner Expressway, the route from Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Downtown, will periodically close down for motorcades along with jammed wireless reception along the two highways. Exits to Yonge Street and Bay Street on the Gardiner Expressway will be closed during the summit dates. Toronto Transit Commission subway stations located in the security zone will remain open and subway service will remain operational. The 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcar routes, however, will bypass Queen's Quay station. Via Rail announced it will not operate at Union Station during the summit dates, instead providing shuttle bus service from the Yorkdale and Scarborough Centre bus terminals to the Brampton and Oshawa stations respectively. Nav Canada announced that it would place restrictions on the airspace in Toronto, making it limited to commercial flights only while all others will be restricted within a 30 nautical mile radius. Porter Airlines were given permission to continue flights in and out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board cancelled school bus services to six Downtown schools during June 25, affecting 45,000 students, of which 10,000 are disabled.

On June 17, the United States Department of State issued Toronto a travel alert, cautioning tourists of the resultant traffic distruptions and potentially violent protests during the G-20 summit. The alert, which is expected to expire on the last day of the summit, stated that "Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable." The alert was criticized by mayor David Miller as an "over-reaction."

Attendance

Participants of the Toronto summit were announced by Stephen Harper on May 8, 2010. Harper extended invitations to the leaders of Ethiopia and Malawi to further represent the continent of Africa, along with South Africa, already a G-20 member. Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, and later Nigeria were also invited. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Labour Organization, as well as Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, and Vietnam will make their first G-20 summit attendances in Toronto. The recently appointed heads of government, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, will attend their first diplomatic conferences with the G8/G-20 summits. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan will represent the nation instead of Kevin Rudd, former prime minister, whose premiership abruptly ended on June 24.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is the port of entry for delegates attending both the G8 and G-20 summits. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chinese President Hu Jintao were the first of the G-20 leaders to arrive in Canada. The arrival of Hu coincided with his state visit to Canada, hosted by Canadian Governor General Michaëlle Jean in Ottawa. Presidents Jacob Zuma of South Africa and Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria made their arrivals on June 24. David Cameron arrived on June 25, following a short visit in Halifax to celebrate the centennial of the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. Remaining leaders with the G8 also arrived on the same day. Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva cancelled his trip to stay back and monitor the situation on the recent flooding in northeastern Brazil; in place of him, Guido Mantega, Brazil's finance minister will head the nation's delegation.

Core participants

The following participants of the Toronto summit represent the core members of the G-20, which include 19 countries and the European Union which is represented by its two governing bodies, the European Council and the European Commission.

• Argentina represented by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, President of Argentina
• Australia represented by Wayne Swan, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
• Brazil represented by Guido Mantega, Finance Minister of Brazil
• Canada represented by Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada (Host)
• China represented by Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China
• France represented by Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France
• Germany represented by Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
• India represented by Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India
• Indonesia represented by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia
• Italy represented by Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy
• Japan represented by Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan
• Mexico represented by Felipe Calderón, President of Mexico
• South Korea represented by Lee Myung-bak, President of South Korea
• Russia represented by Dmitry Medvedev, President of Russia
• Saudi Arabia represented by Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, King of Saudi Arabia
• South Africa represented by Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa
• Turkey represented by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister of Turkey
• United Kingdom represented by David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• United States represented by Barack Obama, President of the United States
• European Commission represented by Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
• European Council represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council

Invited leaders

• Ethiopia represented by Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia
• Malawi represented by Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Malawi
• Netherlands represented by Jan Peter Balkenende, Demissionair Prime Minister of the Netherlands
• Nigeria represented by Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria
• Spain represented by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain
• Vietnam represented by Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, Prime Minister of Vietnam

International organizations

• Financial Stability Forum represented by Mario Draghi, Chairman of the Financial Stability Forum
• International Labour Organization represented by Juan Somavía, Head of the International Labour Organization
• International Monetary Fund represented by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development represented by José Ángel Gurría, Secretariat General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
• United Nations represented by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
• World Bank Group represented by Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank
• World Trade Organization represented by Pascal Lamy, Director General of the World Trade Organization

Agenda

Although there are substantial areas in which agreement may become possible, the G20 leaders bring twenty agendas with them when they arrive in Toronto. For example, the leaders were divided over how to tackle the global economic crisis. European delegates wanted to focus on austerity measures to cut their deficits, while the US sought to maintain economic stimulus spending to encourage growth. India was said to pitch for "durable, balanced and sustainable" global growth.

Leaders of the G8 arrived in Toronto after wrapping up their meeting in Huntsville, Ontario. During the afternoon of June 26, the rest of the G-20 leaders arrived to take part in the G-20 summit. That evening, Stephen Harper formally welcomed the G-20 leaders to the summit and a working dinner was arranged at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The following day, June 27, the formal summit meeting began during the morning.

Controversies

Concerns

The summit's economic impact was a major concern of a few local politicians and citizens. Some public representatives previously wanted the G-20 summit to be held at an isolated venue, such as the Exhibition Place, rather than the Metro Toronto Convention Centre which is located at the city's central business district.

A group of lawyers requested court injunctions against Toronto Police Service from using newly purchased Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD), also known as sound cannons, during protests. Sound cannons have been used in previous summit protests and have the ability to produce sound at ear-piercing decibels, potentially causing hearing impairment. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice later finalized that officers can use sound cannons, with a few restrictions.

It was reported by the Toronto Star that the Executive Council of Ontario had implemented a regulation under the provincial government's Public Works Protection Act on June 2 that allows the ISU to perform sweeping powers of arrest within a specific boundary during the summit; the rule allowing any police or guard to arrest any individual failing or refusing to provide identification within 5 metres of the security zone. Expected to expire on June 28, the regulation was requested by Toronto Police Services chief Bill Blair and was not debated in legislature. The law was not publicized by the province and will only be announced a week after the summit ends. The new law came to light after a York University post-graduate student, who claims to have been simply "exploring" the security zone but did not provide identification when confronted by police, was arrested on June 24 under the regulation. He later vowed to file a lawsuit against the law once the summit ended.

Financial costs

The financial costs of hosting the G8 and G-20 summits was the topic of several political debates and target of criticism by local groups.

Reasons for the large price for both summits were questioned by a few politicians and local groups. Members of parliament Olivia Chow and Mark Holland labelled the $1.1 billion dollar budget for hosting the summits as "obscene" and "insane." Others lobbied that the money could have been used for long pending municipal projects in Canada, such as Toronto's Transit City. The security cost for the two summits, which was determined to be $930 million, is more expensive than the combined costs of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, for which the security costs were $878 million.

It was initially claimed that the summits stand as the most expensive ever held, with sums for security for the London and Pittsburgh G-20 summits in 2009 reported as having been only $30 million and $18 million, respectively. However, the Canadian Parliamentary Budget Officer, Kevin Page, stated in his official report on the costs of the Huntsville and Toronto gatherings that other countries had not been as open about the full price for the similar meetings held there and that the $18 million figure for the Pittsburgh summit was merely for overtime pay for local police and the cost of law enforcement brought in from other regions. Ward Elcock, former Canadian Security Intelligence Service director and the chief of the Integrated Security Units for the Winter Olympics and the G8/G-20 summits, claimed the security costs are in fact "comparable" with those of previous summits. Finance minister Jim Flaherty defended the security cost, claiming "it's necessary to spend substantially to have security. It's Canada's turn, and it's necessary that we either don't take our turn or pay the appropriate price to have the security that is necessary so that everyone is safe here in Toronto."

Creation of the $23 million G8/G-20 international media centre, which included the $1.9 million Experience Canada pavilion and $57,000 Canadian Corridor artificial lake at the Exhibition Place, was widely opposed and criticized by politicians as "a waste of taxpayers' money." Criticism mostly targeted Stephen Harper and Canada's Conservative government. Some protesting groups gave names to the artificial lake, such as "Harper's Folly." In an argument at the House of Commons, Mark Holland said "Instead of hosting world leaders, maybe the government should consider party planning for Lady Gaga." According to some critics, the spendings mislead the objective of the summits into showing-off Canada's attributes instead of promoting the summits' agendas. New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton condemned the Harper government, saying, "we've got a government here that has to create an artificial lake when Canada has more lakes than just about any other country in the world. It is the taxpayers who are going to end up at the bottom of the fake lake." Transport minister John Baird defended the artificial lake saying that the summits gave a "chance to showcase the very best that [Canada] has to offer." Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said it was "normal practice" for a country to showcase its attributes while hosting world events. Harper also defended by saying "This is a classic attempt for us to be able to market the country." Upon its opening, the artificial lake received mixed reviews from Canadian reporters.

Protests

Ottawa firebombing

A Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) branch in Ottawa was firebombed just before the dawn of May 18. A video of the bank exploding was uploaded by the attackers, who were determined by the media to be leftist-anarchists, on YouTube along with a statement claiming their responsibility for the attack. The statement cited the group's reason for their attack on RBC was because they were sponsors of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia which, the attackers claim, was held on "stolen indigenous land." The attackers also confirmed their presence during the G8 and G-20 summits. This caused the G8/G-20 Integrated Security Unit to increase their security measures. Three suspects were arrested a month later and charged with arson, possession of incendiary material, use of explosives, and mischief. The attacks were widely criticized by the media, politicians, and other protesting groups who felt that the attacks posed consequences.

Early opposition

An individual was arrested for vandalism on May 28, after being caught spray painting anti-G-20 slogans on windows and automated teller machines in Downtown Toronto. Two individuals were arrested in London, Ontario after publishing posters encouraging disruption of the G-20 summit and canvassing protests.

Week prior to summit

An early demonstration on Yonge Street on June 24 demanding respect of First Nations treaty rights

A small rally was conducted on June 17 in the Financial District by Oxfam Canada, urging Canada to end fossil fuel subsidization and take action on world poverty. The rally also spoofed the summit's high security cost.

An anti-poverty protest occurred on June 21, causing traffic congestion. The protesters, of about 100, marched from Allan Gardens on Sherbourne Street and continuing on Yonge Street, Dundas Street, and Isabella Street. Police officers on bicycles and military helicopters patrolled the protest; one arrest was made. A few protesters also attempted to take over an Esso gas station claiming corporations like Esso "have caused irreparable damage all over the world." Other protester concerns were the Arab-Israeli conflict, capitalism, and the G8 and G-20 summits. The protest was led by a Guelph-based group called Sense of Security, an anti-poverty group that was also supported by the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty.

The following day, about 200 people from Toronto's gay community marched through Downtown attempting to raise awareness on homosexual rights. Protesters chanted, "We're queer, we're fabulous, we're against the G-20." The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation labelled the protests as "peaceful" overall.

The first sizeable G-20 protest, of about 1000 people, took place on June 24 with First Nations groups and supporters from across Canada demanding respect for treaty rights from the government. Demonstrations moved from Queen's Park to the Toronto Eaton Centre along University Avenue and Queen Street. Concerns of protesters were Canada's failure to sign the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the fact that no aboriginal chiefs were invited to the summits.

A larger anti-poverty protest took place on June 25, the day the 36th G8 summit began in Huntsville, Ontario. Protesters attempted to enter the security zone, but were later forced to go back by police officers. By evening, the protesters set up a tent city at Allan Gardens and stayed overnight to resume protests the following day, the opening of the G-20 summit. Along with other controversial issues of the G-20 summit, protesters also opposed the newly discovered secretly passed law that allowed the Integrated Security Unit to arrest anyone setting foot within 5 metres of the fenced security zone.

During the summit

June 26

A damaged front window of a Starbucks restaurant

Burning Toronto Police Service cruisers on Queen Street West

As the G-20 leaders descended in Toronto after the 36th G8 summit in Huntsville, Ontario wrapped up, a large group of protesters, comprising as many as 10,000 people, conducted protests Downtown during the afternoon of June 26. At the protest, Jeff Atkinson, spokesperson for the Canadian Labour Congress stated: "We don't want G20 countries to cut stimulus spending until jobs recover." Greenpeace International director Kumi Naidoo reasoned that "if G-20 governments could spend billions of dollars to rescue banks in trouble, why not find money to help unemployed workers for the environment and for social causes." In a similar vein, Sid Ryan of the Ontario Federation of Labour stated in a speech that "It wasn't the workers of the world that caused the financial crisis. We don't want to see a transfer of wealth from the public sector to the private sector."

About 100 anarchists broke away from the peaceful protest and initiated violence and vandalism. Their tactics were described as black bloc: covering themselves and their faces in black clothes, responsible for violence in other international summit protests, and dispersed to damage buildings and vehicles with melee weapons. The intent was to distract police forces from the security zone so that anarchists could break in, but forces continued to form blockades, protecting the fence. Anarchists smashed the windows of various office buildings and stores along Yonge Street, Queen Street and College Street using axes, hammers, flag poles, umbrellas, and mailboxes. Black bloc anarchists were also seen harassing news cameramen and amateur photographers. After a few hours of causing havoc, the black bloc anarchists quickly changed into civilan clothes and mingled with the peaceful protesters once security forces began to increase in presence. Sound cannons were not used during riot control, but tear gas, for the first time in the history of Toronto, and pepper spray were used against a few individual protesters.

The first property reportedly damaged was a Nike clothes store. Toronto Police Headquarters was also damaged. Media vehicles of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and CTV Television Network were damaged and four Toronto Police Service cruisers were set ablaze and smashed in various locations. American businesses, such as Starbucks, appeared to be the targets, although many independent local business were still vandalized. Other damaged branches of corporations were Tim Hortons, Sears Canada, McDonald's, Urban Outfitters, Pizza Pizza, and Foot Locker. An American Apparel store was damaged and had feces thrown at it; the mannequins on display were taken out and used to further damage nearby stores. Branches of Scotiabank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and the Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) were also damaged.

Toronto Police Headquarters, Toronto Eaton Centre, Sheraton Centre, Delta Chelsea and some buildings in Yonge-Dundas Square were put in lockdown mode and three people were confirmed by the Toronto EMS to be injured during the protests. Hospitals along University Avenue, which includes Mount Sinai, Toronto General, Princess Margaret, and the Hospital for Sick Children, were put into lockdown mode by police. Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus and streetcar routes were halted in Downtown, as well as subway service between Bloor-Yonge and St. George. GO Transit was requested by the ISU to avoid their trains from entering Union Station and turned the Danforth and Exhibition stations as termini for westbound and eastbound trains respectively, but free shuttle bus service was made available to stranded passengers from those stations. The TTC also provided free shuttle bus services. The escalating violence caused Dutch violinist André Rieu to make a last-minute cancellation of his concert at the Air Canada Centre.

At the end of the day, Toronto Police Services chief Bill Blair announced that 130 people had been arrested. Widespread condemnations were made by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Mayor David Miller. Miller, in an immediate press conference, said "all Torontonians should be outraged. They’re criminals who came to Toronto deliberately to break the law. They are not welcome in this city." About the damages caused by black bloc anarchists throughout Downtown, he claimed that calling the attackers as protesters was "not fair to the people who came to [legally] protest," and that they were in fact "criminals." In a statement by Dimitri Soudas, spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, he proclaimed, "Free speech is a principle of our democracy, but the thugs that prompted violence earlier today represent in no way, shape or form the Canadian way of life."

June 27

The Integrated Security Unit confirmed 480 arrests taken to the Eastern Avenue temporary holding centre during the previous day's violent protests, after initially confirming numbers ranging from 32 to 130; while minor charges will be released soon, serious charges were set to appear in a special G-20 arrests courthouse set up in North York. After closed services thoughout the night, the following morning saw the resumption of regular Toronto Transit Commission and GO Transit service, while G-20 leaders began their formal discussions at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Lockdowns in University Avenue hospitals were also lifted.

Additional arrests, of about 100, were made during a raid by Toronto Police Service in the morning at the University of Toronto. Those arrested were individuals believed to possess weapons. More anarchist-led rallies, of about 100 people, occurred in front of the Eastern Avenue holding centre during the afternoon, urging the release of protesters arrested during Saturday's violent protests. Following one arrest, unrest in protesters began to occur and rubber bullets were fired by police.

Outcome

Remarks by leaders

During the working dinner for G-20 leaders on the evening of June 26, South African president Jacob Zuma promoted more partnership between the international community and Africa for the development in the continent. "As Africa we bring to the G20 Summit the key message that we must, together as the developing and developed worlds, promote stronger and more effective and equal international partnerships for growth and development," he remarked.

International media response

During the midst of the 36th G8 summit in Huntsville, Ontario, as well as the G-20 Toronto summit, a few overseas reporters began to comment on Canada and the summits. A reporter of the British Broadcasting Corporation wrote about Canada's economy, saying "Canada has answers for even the toughest puzzles and they are keen to share their strategies with the rest of the world. Why in this economy, we all want to be Canadian." A writer in The New York Times made positive comments about the summits' preparations and natural beauty of the Muskoka region. Indian newspapers Times of India and The Hindu commented on impacts on city life in Toronto due to the G-20 summit and the "unprecedented" security measures made in Canada. A Reuters reporter, on the other hand, condemned the international media centre's artificial lake.

See also

• 36th G8 summit
• Culture war in Canada
• G-20 major economies
• List of G-20 summits

External links

• Government of Canada G-20 Summit website
• City of Toronto G-20 Summit website
• G-20 Integrated Security Unit website
• University of Toronto G-20 Research Group