G8/G20 Summits This Weekend in Toronto

Summiteering in Fortress Toronto

The iconic CN Tower is among the landmarks fenced in for the summit on June 25-26. A day before, on June 24, the downtown core consising of eight major streets will be sealed off.

The leaders of the world's eight industrialised countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) called the Group of 8, thus G-8, will meet in Muskoka, the scenic region about two hours drive north of Toronto, on June 25-26 2010. Canada's is this year's G-8 president and host of the summit.

Two layers of steel fencing secure the rear entrance to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the main summit site, on Front Street.

The G-20 summit is on June 26 and 27, 2010 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown. It's actually an expanded forum that now includes developing countries. Members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union.

Here's a link to the downtown Toronto map indicating road closures:  http://www.g8-g20isu.ca/g20/resources/10-06-11-map.pdf

A combination of concrete barriers and nine-foot high steel fence snake through at least six kilometers of roads that have been designated by the authorities as the security zone where only pass holders will be allowed.

All photos are by Romy Marquez unless otherwise indicated. Copyright 2010