Canadian taxpayers will be on the hook for covering the near $1 billion tab for hosting international leaders next month at the G8 and G20 summits.
The federal government said the events will cost at least $833 million as the security effort will eclipse that of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. According to the office of Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, the government is prepared to spend up to $930 million to ensure the venues and delegates are secure based on a medium-level threat assessment.
The final figure will be released after the summits.
And as Ottawa plans to shell out nearly $1 billion of taxpayers’ money to host the events, delegates at the G20 will be discussing government deficits and the need to rein in spending.
G8 leaders will be gathering in Huntsville, Ont. on June 25 and 26th and G20 delegates will be meeting in Toronto on June 26 and 27th.
According to figures released by the government this week, the RCMP will receive an additional $321 million and the department of Public Safety is getting $262 million.
The Defence Department, Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, the National Air Transportation Security Authority and other agencies are also getting extra cash.
With files from the Canadian Press