G20 Summit: Toronto Gets Ready for the Big Weekend

Last Monday (June 7) the streets started to change in Toronto. Furniture in the area around the Metro Convention Centre disappeared from the streets: newspaper boxes, litter bins and transit shelters are being removed in the name of security.

But this is just a part of the big security plan. A 3-metre-high fence and five levels of security screening will be protecting the “Security Zone” with controlled access until June 28. The traffic will be restricted from Yonge street west to Spadina and King Street west south to Queen’s quay. And that weekend, June 26 -27, the underground PATH System and all exits to Front street at union station will be closed.

As you can see, everyday life is changing in that area. We went to the Security Zone to get to know the opinions of the people who work there, and we got differing responses.

Veronica works just a few streets from the Metro Convention Centre, and she told us: “They put in security, they took away the garbage cans, and they’ve also put in cameras”. She is a little bit worried about the protests, but she trusts in the security system. “We don’t know what to expect, but, you know, we can’t only expect the worst”.

For Sebastian, who works in the International News Store, located in the Security Zone, there’s nothing to be worried about if the police do they work. “The police should be enough here”, he says.

Bu there are other people that are very angry with this situation. Nima, an immigrant store clerk, said he will close his food store located beside the Metro Convention Centre, when the G20 summit starts, and that be might be in the protests. “I have never seen anything like this, but my store will be closed, because I’m one of the people that are angry about what is happening”.

Gen, the owner of Convenience Store, is also very angry and worried. His store, located at the intersection of University Avenue and Wellington Street, has steel shutters, but he thinks that it might not be enough. His biggest fear is that the Canadian Government has refused to pay any damage that might occur. “We pay our taxes and the police have to protect us. If the protesters damage my store, what can I do? They [The police] will come and say ok, don’t pay, go to the insurance company, and maybe the insurance company will pay, but what about next year’s insurance? If I pay myself, it’s not fair”.



Links:

City removing newspaper boxes, street furniture for G20 (The Star)
Toronto G20 restricted areas unveiled (CBC)
Outer zone restricted to traffic (CBC)