2010 G8 MEETING TO BE HELD IN CENTRAL ONTARIO

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