Thank you for the question.
Mr. Chair, the role of the Canadian Forces in G8 and G20 will derive from the model that was used for the Olympics. The RCMP will have the lead as the lead federal police force. As chair of the G8 and the G20, Canada has an obligation to provide those international leaders with adequate security protection. That's something we take very seriously.
The Canadian Forces will be in support for G8 as they were for the Olympics. I would say the Mounties and the other police forces get the glory role and more visibility. The Canadian Forces will be in the bush around the site, providing perimeter security.
There will be about 2,500, give or take, Canadian Forces personnel deployed. Their role is largely perimeter security, providing the kinds of capabilities that the army, through the reservists and the regular force members, can provide.
Second will be air security. We're part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, so through NORAD, which is a joint command, we will provide air security to create a bubble over that event, and we will provide certain specialized capabilities. In particular I'd note chemical, biological, and radiological. If there were ever to be such an event, the Canadian Forces have unique and specialized capabilities, which is part of a whole-of-government plan. We would deploy first into that zone.
So we'll be, again, in a supporting role. It will be largely hidden. They promise me that where the mosquitoes are, that's where the army will go. It will be to provide both personnel to provide that perimeter security and some specialized capabilities, in the air and on the land, to provide whatever security is necessary.