The Council of Canadians is calling for a public inquiry into police actions and security operations during the G20 summit in Toronto June 26-28. An open letter to Dalton McGuinty and Stephen Harper from more than 40 civil society groups demands a full, public, independent inquiry in order to protect "the ability of citizens to participate in their democracy." The Council of Canadians also also joined the national call for a Day of Action for Civil Liberties on July 10. National and provincial unions, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and others have all called for communities to take action “to voice opposition to the excessive use of police force and an unprecedented curtailment of civil liberties during the G20 summit in Toronto.”
Several inquiries into security operations at the G20 summit have been announced. The willingness of groups such as the Toronto Police Services Board, and the House of Commons reflects broad public concern over police actions and possible political interference. These reviews, though welcome, do not lessen the need for a full, public, and independent inquiry.
MPs wade into G20 security swamp. "Commons public safety [...] to explore the security issues stemming from last month’s G20 summit in Toronto." Globe and Mail, July 7
Further information on these inquiries - including contacts - can be found on the Canadians Civil Liberties Association's website.
Actions across the country
Rallies and marches featuring people who witnessed actions on the ground in Toronto during the summit have already taken place in Montreal, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Close to 150 people gathered at Halifax’s Grand Parade Square on Saturday, June 10, to defend civil liberties, demand a public inquiry into police actions, and support those still being held in detention from the G8/G20 summit actions on and around June 25th.
On Saturday, July 3, the Wolfville Chapter of the Council of Canadians raised local awareness about police actions in Toronto from June by staging a street theatre spoof. The spoof had heavy-handed police officers keeping people and democracy silent while so-called political “leaders” held discussions behind barricades.
Photos by Marke Slipp 2010
More than 200 people marched from Edmonton City Hall to the downtown police station on Saturday, July 3 adding their voices to the growing call for an inquiry into police conduct at last week's G20 summit in Toronto. The crowd voiced opposition to the treatment of people in the Toronto rallies – the majority of whom were peaceful protestors – as well as the participation of about 100 Edmonton-area police officers in the security detail there.
On Canada Day, members of the Edmonton and the University of Alberta Chapter of the Council of Canadians organized a creative demonstration, dressing as billionaires and visiting the Alberta Legislature to publicly thank Prime Minister Harper for securing their freedom at the G20 summit for the “low, low cost of ONE BILLION Dollars!”
The Kelowna Chapter of the Council of Canadians organized a Burma-shave event on June 26, 2010. Note: Burma-shaving is where a group of people line up with signs that carry a specific message followed by a punchline.
Shout Out for Global Justice
‘Shout Out for Global Justice’ on June 25, 2010 at Massey Hall featured an evening of entertainment and high profile global social justice leaders. The event brought thousands of people together from throughout Toronto, across Canada, and around the world to demand climate, water, trade and social justice, as a counterpoint to the closed-door nature of the G8 and G20 Summits. See photostream and video footage, including interviews with Shout Out speakers here »
On June 26, 2010, Council of Canadians members, supporters and chapter activists joined tens of thousands of people in downtown in Toronto for the peaceful “People First!” rally and march against the G8 and G20’s illegitimate and undemocratic agendas.
The People's Summit
The Council was a large part of the Peoples Summit, with Maude Barlow opening the forum and numerous staff offering workshops on key issues to many people. Read reports of the opening event and the first day of workshops.
Thirst for Justice: The Right to Water, Maternal Health, and the G8
A public meeting and rally were held in Halifax on the eve of the G8 Development Ministers meeting (April 26-28). ‘Thirst for Justice’ made the links between how the Canadian government is failing women, children and First Nation communities through policies that lead to the contamination of water resources, deny access to clean drinking water and by failing to recognize water as a human right in Canada and internationally. Read more »
PHOTO: The Council of Canadians along with the Ottawa Peace Assembly and other organizations, protested the G8 and G20 at the site of the G8 foreign ministers meeting in Gatineau, QC on March 29, 2010.
The Council is also working with local, national and international groups, through such venues as the 2010 People’s Summit, to present legitimate alternatives to corporate globalization.
The Council of Canadians along with the Ottawa Peace Assembly and other organizations, protested the G8 and G20 at the site of the G8 foreign ministers meeting in Gatineau, QC on March 29, 2010.
G8 international development ministers ministerial (April 26-28)
A ‘Thirst for Justice’, a public meeting and rally organized by the Council of Canadians and others took place April 25, the eve of the G8 Development Ministers meeting, to make the links between how the Canadian government is failing women, children and First Nation communities through policies that lead to the contamination of water resources, deny access to clean drinking water and by failing to recognize water as a human right in Canada and internationally.
The Council of Canadians believes in peaceful protest and non-violent civil disobedience. We do not damage property or engage in any form of aggressive behaviour toward police and other security personnel. We do not condone violence against persons or property in our organization or our movement. We believe that our message of peace and justice is not served by images of violence and destruction, and that in the common struggle to build a better world our methods must be consistent with our goals. We believe that a better world is possible and that it must be modeled in our movement.
Maude Barlow,
Chairperson, The Council of Canadians
Thirst for Justice: The Right to Water, Maternal Health, and the G8 
