The media table was empty and protesters were absent yesterday at what could have been a lightning rod for local opposition to globalization: the start of two days of federal hearings on the coming G8 meeting.
Maybe it was the nature of the forum itself - too quick, too superficial and too likely to be ignored by leaders of the eight most industrialized nations when they meet at Kananaskis, Alta., in June, some participants said.
"It's important for us to come here, but we have to wonder whether anyone's really listening," said Francine Néméh, head of the Association Québécoise des Organismes de Coopération Internationale.
"We have the impression that things are being hatched before we've even been consulted."
Like others who showed up yesterday for the proceedings at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Néméh only found out about the hearings 10 days ago and had little time to prepare.
Traveling Road Show
The hearings are a traveling road show of the House of Commons standing committee on foreign affairs and international trade, this week in Quebec and Atlantic Canada and the week of April 8 in Ontario.
In addition to discussion of the agenda of the G8, the hearings are also looking at what the committee calls "the North American relationship" of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Last year's G8 meeting in Genoa, Italy, was marred by violence, as have previous G8s and international gatherings such as the Summit of the Americas last spring in Quebec City.
That's not expected this time, when the leaders of Canada, the U.S., Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia (as well as of the European Union) meet June 26-27.
A big factor is the remote location - a secluded resort in the Rocky Mountains. Another is highly restricted access for media.
Three Items on Agenda
The agenda is no less important than usual, though. Three items will be the focus of discussions: global economic growth, aid to Africa and the war on international terrorism.
At this week's hearings and those in April, ordinary Canadians and non-governmental organization representatives are being asked what they think of the agenda and what additions could be made.
"The government might only take three or four of our recommendations, but each of them will be important, we think," said committee vice-chairman Bernard Patry, a Quebec Liberal MP who acted as chairman here.
He was joined yesterday by two other MPs - former Liberal cabinet minister Diane Marleau and Pierre Paquette of the Bloc Québécois - hearing briefs by a dozen NGOs and individuals.
- The Montreal part of the hearings continue today in the Salon MacKenzie of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, 900 René Lévesque Blvd. W.
- Jeff Heinrich's E-mail address is jheinrich@thegazette.southam.ca.
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