2010 G20 Toronto summit

2010 G20 Toronto summit
4th G20 summit
← 3rd 26–27 June 2010 5th →
Host country Canada
Venue(s)Metro Toronto Convention Centre
CitiesToronto
ChairStephen Harper

The 2010 G20 Toronto summit was the fourth meeting of the G20 heads of state/government, to discuss the global financial system and the world economy, which took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The summit's priorities included evaluating the progress of financial reform, developing sustainable stimulus measures,[1] debating global bank tax,[2] and promoting open markets.[3] Alongside the twenty-one representatives of the G20 major economies, leaders of six invited nations, and eight additional intergovernmental organizations also took part in the summit.

Prior to the summit, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the theme would be "recovery and new beginnings," referring to an anticipated economic stimulus from the impact of the ongoing world recession.[4] Harper initially proposed to hold the summit in Huntsville, Ontario, where the 36th G8 summit was scheduled immediately prior. Organizers later deemed the town insufficient to provide hospitality for the large number of G20 delegates and journalists, favouring Toronto as the host location.[5]

Organizers formed an Integrated Security Unit, consisting of police officers from several regional departments, to provide security during the summit in Downtown Toronto.[6] The event was part of the largest and most expensive security operation in Canadian history.[7] Many hundreds of members of the public were wrongfully detained, some held in inhumane conditions.[8] The total combined cost between the 36th G8 summit in Huntsville and the G20 summit in Toronto including security, infrastructure, and hospitality, was determined to be approximately C$858 million.[9]

  1. ^ Ronald D. Orol (27 June 2010). "G-20 countries set deficit and debt-reducing goals". The Wall Street Journal. New York City: marketwatch.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  2. ^ "Background: Summit Issues". The Globe and Mail. Toronto: theglobeandmail.com. April 28, 2010. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  3. ^ "Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada". Government of Canada. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  4. ^ "PM announces participation of key leaders at the Toronto G-20 Summit this June" (Press release). Government of Canada. 8 May 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  5. ^ Rob Gillies (26 May 2010). "Opposition miffed by $1 billion summit security". The Boston Globe. boston.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  6. ^ "G20 Toronto". Toronto Police Service. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  7. ^ Alcoba, Natalie (25 February 2010). "G8/G20: Gearing up for the biggest security event in Canadian history". National Post. Mostly Water. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  8. ^ "Toronto police say they 'regret that mistakes were made' in G20 mass arrests following major settlement | CBC News". Archived from the original on 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
  9. ^ "G8/G20 costs top $857M". CBC News. CBC.ca. 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-01.