Word that the federal government might offer police and local businesses financial assistance after next week's G8 protest wasn't news to Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli yesterday.
"We've had discussions with the federal solicitor general and other federal officials," Chiarelli said. "We have an understanding with them that we'll try to assess the costs after the event and negotiate a reasonable settlement."
Liberal MP Marlene Catterall announced yesterday the government will consider compensating the city for costs arising from G8 protests in the capital. Traditionally, the government would only pay for costs in the area directly around the international event, which is being hosted in Kananaskis, Alta., Catterall said.
"However, the solicitor general is prepared to look at extra costs incurred by (Ottawa)," she said
Catterall said the federal government will look at losses experienced by small businesses as a result of security measures and policing costs.
The feds helped the city pay more than $3 million in costs associated with the G20 protest last fall.
"We were extremely successful in how we dealt with (funds) for the G20, virtually 100% of our costs covered," Chiarelli said. "We expect we'll go through the same process."
Costs are expected to meet or exceed those associated with the G20 Summit, he said.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. NoNonsense English offers this material non-commercially for research and educational purposes. I believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner, i.e. the media service or newspaper which first published the article online and which is indicated at the top of the article unless otherwise specified.