G8/G20 security bill to approach $1-billion

[shockedcanadian]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/news/g8g20-security-bill-to-approach-1-billion/article1580865/


The estimates apparently increased from 180 million to 833 million. And Mr. Toews is prepared to spend up to 930 million if needed for this 3 day event, what a heartwarming gesture.

I can't for the life of me understand how Canada has such a huge debt to contend with.

[daleo]

1. This security situation has become absurd

A billion dollars in security costs for conferences that rarely come to any substantive conclusions? There must be a better way. All you get from this is a legacy of Atco trailers.

[JBoy]

2. One word solution: Skype.

You could throw in free laptops for all the participants, too.

[daleo]

4. We could give the leaders blackberries and they could meet that way

At least that would support a Canadian company.

[CHIMO]

3. It Is Not

Overbudget. I heard that today on Power & Politics.

Summit costs hit $1.1B
The cost of hosting the G8 and G20 summits next month in Ontario now stands at $1.1 billion and further outlays are likely, federal documents show.

The price tag includes $160 million for hospitality, infrastructure, food safety and extra staffing. That amount is in addition to the $933-million security bill the Tories revealed earlier this week.

Not a cost overrun: Toews
In an interview with CBC News earlier in the day, Toews defended the security estimate as the "most efficient and effective" use of public money for Canada's "unprecedented" hosting of back-to-back international summits. He also insisted the estimate was not a cost overrun.

"This has been budgeted for, and the money is released as it is required," Toews said.

http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/05/26/g8-g20-security-summit-toews.html
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 | 7:40 PM ET

[daleo]

5. A high enough budget

Means never having to say you're sorry.

[shockedcanadian]

6. Who will say sorry to the grandkids?

When they are told that the healthcare that was once he envy of the world is no longer available due to the mismangement of finances by their former governments (of all stripes). Over a $BILLION spent when England spent $30 million hosting one of the summits, and Pittsburgh spent $20 million U.S hosting the G20 last year. Is Canada REALLY this inefficient? There has to be more to this than simply paying for security for these summits...


This three day event amounts to almost the same amount of money spent on one year fighting in Afghanistan. If security is such an important issue, I would prefer to see soldiers who are being shot at and have their lives endangered everyday have access to more funds before we dump $1 Bilion on a three day event to protect leaders from some protesters.

Just more pissing away of funds during a period when we can least afford to do so.

[daleo]

7. I would like to see an itemized list for this security budget

It's hard to see where the money can be going. For example, a billion dollars would pay $10,000 overtime for 100,000 police and military personnel. I mean, what could they possibly be spending that kind of money on?

[BolivarianHero]

8. This is ridiculous...

Hold these summits in the cheapest place possible and have the taxpayers for participating nations share the cost. I can't fucking believe I'm wasting MY money on securing world leaders I don't even support.