G20 Summit Saturday June 26 & Sunday June 27, 2010

Councillor Kyle Rae held a public information session on 01 June 2010 to inform residents and businesses of the impact of the Queen's Park North designated speech area (referred to by the media as the designated "protest" area).  An officer from the Integrated Security Unit (ISU) spoke at length about the elaborate security measures in and around the Metro Convention Centre, and the three hotels which will house the dignitaries.  He also spoke at length of the traffic disruption and road closures when the  cavalcades makes their way into Toronto from the airport and from Huntsville on Friday evening June 25, and more road closures when the dignitaries and their delegations make their way to the airport on Sunday June 27.  The BCCA (Bay Corridor Community Association) with condominiums at Bay & Wellesley, GYRA with condominiums at Bloor & Avenue Road, and Yorkville businesses were told security plans could not be disclosed.

 

The Queen's Park North site will be furnished with portable toilets, drinking water, EMS, stage and microphones.  Cameras will provide a live feed into the Metro Convention Centre.  On Saturday 26 June at 1:00pm the 20,000 strong OFL will be at the site, and will make their way down University Avenue after their speeches.  It is not known what other groups will use this site. 

 

On Tuesday 02 June 2010, GYRA president attended the Toronto Police Service 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee to ask about Queen's Park North security measures.  The 52 Division Unit Commander Hugh Ferguson is the G20 Incident Commander. An RCMP officer explained in detail the elaborate security measures which the ICU officer had talked about the previous evening. Incident Commander Hugh Ferguson said there were no specific security measures in place for Bloor & Avenue Road, he did not expect disruptions at that intersection, and added the Toronto Police Service is fully prepared for all eventualities.

 

The University of Toronto has cancelled all classes that weekend and students living around Queen's Park North will be evacuated.  The Ontario Legislative Assembly building will be closed and the ground floor windows boarded up.  Nearby provincial employees at Bay & Wellesley are being encouraged to stay away.  Torontonians are being warned to steer clear of the downtown area and encouraged to check the news for up-to-the-minute reports or on-line at www.g8-g20isu.ca, or by telephone 1-882-446-4047.

 

Councillor Rae's office is assisting the BCCA to organize another information session with details to prepare residents and businesses for possible road closures and other delays.