The two world leaders' summits held this year in Ontario, G8 in Huntsville, June 24-25 and G20 in Toronto June 26-27, were a statement to the world that the United States, and the wealthier nations, (many who also suffering economic reversal) might not be counted on to bail out other so called needier countries.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, joined by United States President Barack Obama at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on June 27th, held the wrap-up press conference for the G20.
Obama said, "So we came to Toronto with three specific goal: to make global recovery as strong and durable; to continue reforming the financial system; and to address the range of global issues that affect our prosperity and security. And we made progress in each of these areas."
"As I reiterated to my colleagues, after years of taking on too much debt, Americans cannot -- and will not -- borrow and buy the worlds lasting prosperity. No nation should assume its path to prosperity is simply paved with exports to the United States. Indeed I've made it clear that the United States will compete aggressively for the jobs and industries and markets of the future," added President Obama.
During the week of the summits demonstrations occurred outside, culminating with the major one on Saturday, June 26th, involving around 18,000 people. The demonstration turned into a riot when a group of black dressed rioters with their faces covered called the "Black Bloc" started burning police cars and breaking into businesses. This destruction caused by the rioting however, might have justified the 1.2 billion dollar price tag of organizing the summits, including security, which was criticized right up until the rioting.
Though the rioting captured most of the media coverage, hopes of economic solutions being found must be considered the most important aspect of the two summits.
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argh07 Jul 2010 00:19
The G8 and G20 summits are and were a joke.
The big money spent on all the security was riduculous as shown on the countless youtube videos of peaceful protestors being charged at while taking part in things such as anthem singing....yet black hooded hooligans set cars on fire and break store windows with no police in sight.
It was all a show by Stephen, and show the rest of the world an image of pure stupidity. Why again, do we need to spend all this damn money to be on the world stage and was that really how Canada wanted to be represented on it???
What ever happened to common sense? Why does Canada need to prove itself beyond belief to the rest of the world? Or are we just turning into the U.S. It's ridiculous.
blah blah blah07 Jul 2010 00:01
G-8, G-20, G-is tired of all this crap. There's only one "G" I care about (and it aint about numbers)...
Clarification Please06 Jul 2010 11:09
" This destruction caused by the rioting however, might have justified the 1.2 billion dollar price tag of organizing the summits"
Confusing. Are you saying that the destruction was a good thing and worth the billion dollars wasted or are you trying to say that the overpriced "security" was worth it despite the fact that they did nothing to protect the citizens of this city nor those who were peacefully protesting?
Very strange statement.
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