OTTAWA and ORILLIA, ON, July 13 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Canadian
Forces, North Bay Police Service, Toronto Police Service and other safety and
security partners, have formed the G8 Integrated Security Unit (G8 ISU) to
help ensure a safe and secure G8 Summit in Huntsville in June 2010.
Planning is already underway for security operations and personnel have
been assigned from a number of organizations to work on this project full
time. The operations are jointly led by RCMP Chief Superintendent Alphonse
MacNeil and OPP Chief Superintendent Brian Deevy.
"Our top priority is creating security plans to establish the safest and
most secure environment possible for the leaders, residents and visitors to
the G8 Summit," said C/Supt MacNeil. "The G8 ISU is committed to communicating
with the public, key partners and other stakeholders in a timely and efficient
manner."
The Government of Canada announced last year that the 2010 G8 Summit
would be held June 25 to 27 at the Deerhurst Resort, in Huntsville, Ontario.
"Although local residents can expect some changes to their normal
routines during the Summit, we are committed to keeping disruptions to a
minimum," said C/Supt. Deevy.
Maintaining public order and safety for leaders, visitors and residents
of the Muskoka Region and Huntsville areas will be the key mandate of the ISU
partners. A number of other important operational goals have already been
established, including:- Protecting heads of state, their families and G8 delegates; the
public, including protesters; police officers, emergency personnel,
the environment and property;
- Supporting the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
- Strengthening partnerships with residents, community organizations,
businesses, various government agencies and other police services.
- Minimizing the environmental impact of police security operations.Providing transparent, timely and accurate information is a top priority
for the G8 ISU. The G8 ISU has already formed the Community Relations Group
(CRG) with representatives from all security partners to address community
concerns. The CRG has been working to establish and maintain open and
transparent lines of communication with all stakeholders. The CRG can be
reached at 1-888-446-4047 or by e-mail at G8.ISU.CommunityRelations@ontario.ca
With the constant evolution of security developments, the ISU has
recently launched its own website at www.g8isu.ca to focus on safety and
security issues. We encourage everyone to bookmark the site and explore what
it has to offer.
For further information: ISU Contacts: Sergeant Pierre Chamberland,
Media Relations Officer, G8 ISU, Corporal Leo Monbourquette, Media Relations
Officer, G8 ISU, ISU Media Relations 1-888-338-3738
