REPORT RAPPORT

DATE:	10 September 2007
TO:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM:	Vern White, Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT:	NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS’ SUMMIT (NALS)

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

BACKGROUND

On the 20^th and 21^st of August 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper hosted the North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS) in Montebello, Quebec. ‘C’ Division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), responsible for the province of Quebec, had the lead in planning for this summit, along with other policing partners, in particular, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).

As has been the experience from previous similar events/visits held in Canada, Ottawa has been a choice venue for protestors and demonstrators, even if the event was not taking place in the National Capital Region. For example, when the G8 meeting was hosted in Kananaskis, Alberta, in 2002, Ottawa experienced considerable protests. When President Bush visited Ottawa in 2004, there were significant protests. Information leading up to the NALS strongly indicated that Ottawa would again be a focal point of protests and demonstrations, along with the actual venue in Montebello.

The planning for this event began earlier in the summer. Based on previous experiences and intelligence collected leading up to this event, the Ottawa Police Service required the assistance of outside Police agencies. Public Order teams and extra patrol resources were brought in from the police services of Toronto, London and the regional municipalities of Durham, York, and Peel. The planning included preparation for a full range of protestors, from those who are peaceful and law abiding, to those who use direct action techniques, intent on being as disruptive as possible.

There were protests leading up to the actual dates of the Summit. These protests were directly related to the NALS. The first one was on Saturday the 11^th of August outside the Chateau Laurier Hotel. This event resulted in the arrest of two local individuals, well known in the activist community. The second protest occurred on Wednesday the 15^th of August, at 99 Bank Street. The building at this address houses the offices of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. The Council was the target of the protestors because of a direct link to the NALS. No incidents of note or arrests occurred.

The main NALS organized protest event was a large-scale demonstration on Sunday the 19^th of August. The protest began on Parliament Hill. The demonstrators then marched to the Mexican Embassy on O’Connor Street, followed by a protest march to the American Embassy on Sussex Drive, subsequently returning to Parliament Hill. This event was closely monitored and managed by police, contributing to a safe, peaceful afternoon.

The actual Summit in Montebello was on Monday and Tuesday, the 20^th and 21^st of August. All indications leading up to the Summit were that some of the protestors would return to Ottawa to protest on these days, should they feel their efforts were unsuccessful at the Montebello venue, due to the tight security. As the Summit unfolded, protests did not take place in Ottawa.

The Ottawa Police Service prepared and executed the safety and security plan in conjunction with the RCMP. As in all major events in the National Capital Region, the Ontario Provincial Police, the SQ, and the Gatineau Police Service were also involved. While each agency has specific mandates regarding major events, all worked as closely as possible to ensure a consistent and coordinated response. As well, our City of Ottawa partners were involved in our planning and NALS operations. As always, they were a crucial element to the success of the plan and the events.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

There is a significant incremental cost associated with providing the appropriate level of security for this type of event. The Federal Government designated the North American Leaders Summit as an extraordinary event, thus allowing for an application for cost recovery.

Members of the Planning Team, including staff from the Ottawa Police Financial Services section, met with representatives from Public Safety Canada during the planning stages to provide a preliminary estimate of security costs for the Summit. A further meeting was convened following following the event to discuss the reporting and audit process. Public Safety Canada will audit the OPS expenses, and those of our partner agencies including the City of Ottawa, and make a decision with respect to reimbursement. At the time of this report those costs are being tabulated. Deadline for submission to Public Safety Canada is 15 October 2007.

While reimbursement is not guaranteed, in past-designated extraordinary events the Federal Government has reimbursed the OPS and the City for the majority of incurred costs.

CONCLUSION

The Ottawa Police Service is dedicated to ensuring the safety of residents and visitors in the City of Ottawa at all times, including during major events. The Planning Team worked with various partners to complete this task in an efficient and effective manner. With extensive experience garnered from past major events, protests and celebrations, the OPS accomplished this task with as little disruption as possible to the community while balancing the need to uphold the constitutional rights of lawful protestors.

Vern White,

Chief of Police