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PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHRN RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #0830 1712103
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 192103Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8063
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSS/OECD POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2250
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0421
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000830
SIPDIS
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC; STATE FOR WHA/CAN, EEB, EUR, EAP, P, E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CA ECON PREL
SUBJECT: 2010 G8 MEETING TO BE HELD IN CENTRAL ONTARIO
1. On June 19, Canadian Prime Minister Harper announced that
the Canadian-hosted 2010 G8 Summit will be held at the
Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. Canada last hosted
the G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in 2002. Harper noted
that "Huntsville is a jewel in the Canadian Shield and an
ideal location for this gathering of world leaders. Our
international guests will be charmed by the uniquely Canadian
beauty of the region and by the warm hospitality of
Muskokans." Clearly Harper intends to host the G8 meeting,
but he must be returned to office in a federal election which
must be held before October 2009.
2. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Summit will be a
tremendous opportunity to promote Canada's values and
interests on the world stage; to advocate for open markets
and free trade; to insist on truly global action against
global warning; and to champion freedom, democracy, human
rights, ad the rule of law. Speaking to a domestic audience,
Harper also noted that Huntsville and the surrounding Muskoka
region in central Ontario will benefit from the significant
economic activity associated with the Summit, noting that the
Kananaskis Summit generated an estimated C$300 million for
the regional economy. He added that the international media
attending the Summit would introduce millions of potential
tourists to the attractions of Ontario's cottage country
which is full of beautiful lakes, forests and wetlands and a
popular summer resort for Ontario residents.
3. Embassy comment: Another probable factor in the site
selection left unstated by Harper is the area's relative
remoteness from Canada's major population areas. Toronto is
2 1/2 hours' drive from the site (135 miles) and Ottawa is 4
hours' drive (215 miles). This should make it easier for
security to keep the inevitable demonstrators at bay from the
resort and minimize disruptions to a lightly populated area.
Lessons learned from the Kananaskis Summit include the
advantage of fostering an intimate atmosphere and the ease of
controlling the message with restricted media space and
access to leaders. End comment.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
RODDY