HUNTSVILLE, Ont. -
A leafy country retreat, or a sprawling concrete jungle -- security for the two upcoming global summits are equally committed to both.
The Integrated Security Unit says its plans for the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ont., will run parallel to those in place for the G20 meetings in Toronto at the end of June.
"There is no difference in doing the job, it's just the setting is different," said Sgt. Leo Monbourquette, a spokesperson for the unit, which spent Sunday showcasing the highlights of its extensive plans to secure the Parry Sound-Muskoka region.
"As far as security is concerned, it's the same thing."
But while the commitment to security is equally high, the contrasts in terrain have prompted some subtle differences in plans for the summits.
"You're looking at an urban setting for the G20 versus a rural setting," said Monbourquette.
"So the security component, or the way to go about it is the same, it's just that the tools or ways we're going to execute may be slightly different."
Monbourquette said an example would be the Canadian Forces paying particular attention to securing the wooded areas around the Deerhurst Resort where the G8 meetings will be held.
And whether you see them or not, both summits will employ the largest number of reserve soldiers in a planned operation in history.
With the Integrated Security Unit, comprised of RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto police, Peel region police and the Canadian Armed Forces, officials admit there will be many law enforcement personnel on the ground.
"There will be significant numbers," said Monbourquette. "It takes a lot of people to ensure the security for the leaders for the most powerful economic countries in the world."
Those walking the streets of Huntsville during June 25-26 might come across canine teams, explosive teams, police officers in uniform and marine units patrolling the area's waters.
But the multiple visual cues, not to mention the knowledge of additional officials working behind-the-scenes, are no reason cottage-country residents to be alarmed, said Monbourquette.
"We want the public, especially in a community like Huntsville, to be aware that just because they might see a lot of different equipment, a lot of police that they haven't seen in the past, doesn't mean that there's anything to be concerned about," he said.
"These are just the different types of tools we use to do our job."
Monbourquette said reaching out to the community to reassure them about their safety had been a key priority. A special community relations group has been working to address questions and garner feedback from residents of the area for the past 18 months.
"I know that they have concerns," he said, adding the unit's extensive outreach work ought to have prepared the community for the massive security operation.
"I think they basically want us to be able to do our jobs and leave the community and the relations intact the way they were."
