Harper has spent at least $1 billion (probably lots more in the end ... $2 billion?) of your Canadian taxpayer money to showcase himself as a ‘global player’ by being the Host of the G8 and G20 Summits and is now continuing this initiative by being the generous Host of the Queen’s Canadian tour, the cost of which is not being mentioned since it would be ‘impolite’.  Harper gets to look like a Presidential/ Global figure, even though he is supported by a minority of Canadians.... although the majority of Canadians foot the bill.  This is an interesting, puzzling,  scenario for a fiscal and social Conservative!!  Cry “spending cuts”, but freely spend the people’s money, even if you have to increase the Public Debt!!  I have blogged about Harper’s hypocrisy before and specifically about the G20 Summit (Harper Watch #5:  G20 Summit Insanity).  Following the G8 and G20 Summits, here are a few observations:

• Despite Harper’s massively, unprecedented expenses on these summits (mostly Security) in comparison to other recent G20 summits, no major, specific decisions were made. .. regarding Banking, the Economy or anything else.
• The massive Security initiative was inefficient... not stopping the small, anarchistic, destructive Black Block, and probably overbearing (maybe illegal?)... arresting many people, who were legitimately expressing their opinions.  The police and security personnel  (paid for by you and me) massively outnumbered the Protesters.
• Did the Police/Security actually talk beforehand to the main protesting groups (Poverty/ Environment/ Anti-Globalization  etc) and  alert them that the Black Block was intent  on violence?  If not, why not?  This is simple, honest, direct and costless!!!.... It’s called Talking.
• Why did Harper want to bring the G20 into Toronto and specifically into the downtown core?  Toronto Mayor, David Miller, pushed for the summit to be in Exhibition Place, which is custom-built for major meetings but away from the down town core.  He was overruled by Harper’s people.
• Harper  said he wanted to high-light Toronto and Canada to the G20 delegates.  What they saw was a desolate, concrete-barrieedr area, adorned with the smoke of torched police cars!  Not very enticing for a repeat visit!

This was an expensive, no-win or perhaps even lose-lose disaster!