Toronto Mayor David Miller says his city is ready to host the world for the G20 summit.
Miller says visitors will see a city with an environmentally-friendly attitude, and a city that is a great place to do business. But most of all, he says they will be impressed by Toronto's cultural diversity.
"Toronto is a diverse world city. We are one of the most ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse cities (on) the planet," Miller said at a news conference. "We're home to people from well over 100 countries, including every G20 nation."
Miller pointed out that more than half of all Torontonians, "including the mayor," were born outside of Canada and chose Toronto as their home.
However, a number of Toronto's most prominent tourist attractions will be closed this weekend because of the summit, including the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Mirvish theatres and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Also shutting its gates is the popular Centreville amusement park on the Toronto islands. Park officials say the ferry docks that take visitors to Centre Island are located just south of the restricted G20 zones, making the area tough to access for visitors.
Meanwhile, world leaders have begun arriving for the G8 summit. From Toronto, they will be making their way north to Huntsville, in Ontario cottage country, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy was one of the first leaders to arrive. Chinese President Hu Jintao is also in the country for his first state visit. U.S. President Barack Obama is expected later today.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will welcome G8 leaders with a reception. The principal meetings will be held on Friday. The G20 follows on Saturday and Sunday in Toronto.
