Public Safety Committee on Dec. 6th, 2010

Evidence of meeting #45 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was summit.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Issues Surrounding Security at the G-8 and G-20 Summits

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Vivian Prokop Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Youth Business Foundation

Steve Paikin Anchor and Senior Editor, TVO

John Kirton Co-director of the G20 Research Group and Director of the G8 Research Group, University of Toronto

Grayson Lepp Executive Chair, Student Union of the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Kirk Chavarie External Coordinator, Student Union of the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Justin Stayshyn As an Individual

5 p.m.

External Coordinator, Student Union of the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Kirk Chavarie

Yes, I can definitely motivate to that. We actually took part in the peaceful rally that went all the way down through Queensway. When we got to the end, we had officials, who were wearing fluorescent vests as well as carrying megaphones, telling us exactly where to go and saying that if we were even to go close to or approach the fence, there was a chance we could be arrested. So we instantly made the decision that this wasn't part of what we were there for and so we were not going there, and—

5 p.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

Okay. That's fine.

Now, had you not been arrested Sunday morning, what was the rest of your itinerary? What were you going to do on Sunday?

5 p.m.

External Coordinator, Student Union of the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Kirk Chavarie

On Sunday? The plan was basically that there were going to be other members meeting. We hold connections with York University as well as Ryerson. All of these students fall under the Canadian Federation of Students, which is the largest body of students in Canada. Our plan was to tour their campuses, meet up with them, and basically see Toronto on the side of how students in Ontario experience it.

5 p.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

Okay.

My last question is for you, Mr. Lepp.

You said you've lost faith in the Canadian government. But isn't your real concern with the Toronto police force?

5 p.m.

Executive Chair, Student Union of the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Grayson Lepp

I would say that—

5 p.m.

Conservative

Brent Rathgeber Conservative Edmonton—St. Albert, AB

No, I'm sorry; it was Mr. Chavarie who said he had lost faith in the Canadian government. I apologize, Mr. Lepp.

5 p.m.

External Coordinator, Student Union of the University of British Columbia Okanagan

Kirk Chavarie

I think at this point my faith has definitely been lost in the sense of justice for what had happened. There haven't been as many conversations as I would expect on an issue this large. We are experiencing the largest mass arrests in Canadian history, and it's just starting to be talked about in a committee forum.

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson

Thank you very much, Mr. Chavarie.

We'll now move back to Madame Mendes.

5 p.m.

Liberal

Alexandra Mendes Liberal Brossard—La Prairie, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you all for being here.

I would like to start by telling you, Mr. Chavarie and Mr. Lepp, that I think it's unfortunate that our Conservative colleagues consider it more important to question you on your motivations and your history than to apologize for the behaviour of authorities during the G8 and G20 summits. I believe that's particularly the case for the G20 Summit, when you were stopped.

I would also like to ask you something, Mr. Stayshyn. You're a resident of Toronto, where the G20 was held, and it no doubt affected you directly.

After all these months, do you think that was worth the trouble?

Was it worth it?