An armoured vehicle favoured by African and Middle Eastern riot squads has been bought by the federal government for use at the upcoming G8 summit in Alberta.
The RG-12 armoured personnel carrier is billed by the company that manufactures it as a "public order vehicle" able to withstand gunfire and grenades.
Two RG-12s have been purchased for Calgary police at a cost of $1.1 million.
Calgary police Insp. Al Redford said the vehicles will be used within the city as "armoured extraction vehicles" that could rescue police officers, protesters or members of the public caught up in any violent demonstrations.
"They don't have an offensive role," he said. "They're meant to provide a level of security if, for example, we had to go into a large crowd situation, which was volatile."
Insp. Redford said the vehicles will be confined to use in Calgary and will not be sent out to the main G8 summit site at Kananaskis, about 100 kilometres west of the city. Protests are expected at both locations.
But groups planning peaceful demonstrations at the G8 summit say the purchase is part of an ongoing campaign by police and government to intimidate people planning to voice their dissent at the gathering of world leaders. "This is obviously overkill," said Les Steel, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour. "What country are we living in?"
Police have faced criticism for heavy-handed tactics against protesters at similar recent gatherings in Vancouver, Windsor, Ottawa and Quebec City. There have been complaints about unnecessary arrests and misuse of force.
Mr. Steel warned that the introduction of such vehicles tends to increase tensions. "It sounds like police want a confrontation," he added.
Winnipeg activist Harold Shuster, who has been involved in plans for G8 demonstrations, said the use of the RG-12s is uncalled for and "clearly designed as an intimidation factor" against peaceful dissent. He dismissed suggestions that the armoured carriers have been bought, not only to help police do their job, but could also come to the aid of protesters.
He said countries holding G8 summits seem to want to outdo each other in the level of security and numbers of police officers they provide.
As many as 4,500 police and 6,000 soldiers are expected to be involved in the security for the G8 gathering in Alberta on June 26-27. Responding to some of the criticisms, police have created a code of ethics for officers in an effort to respect the public's right to peaceful protest. Insp. Redford emphasized that the RG-12s are only for rescue missions.
Costs for the Alberta summit are expected to reach about $300 million. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has said he wants to put African development at the top of agenda for the G8 meeting, but activists note the money being spent on security could be put to better use helping Africa's poor.
The RG-12 is the main vehicle used by South Africa's riot squad, but it has also been effective in other military operations, according to the vehicle's manufacturer, Vickers of South Africa. It has enough armour to protect its occupants from rifle and small arms fire, blasts from hand grenades thrown underneath it as well as other objects hurled by demonstrators.
The RG-12 can continue moving even if its tires are flat. Each vehicle can carry 10 officers.
After the G8, the vehicles will be turned over to the federal government, but Insp. Redford did not know what they would be used for.
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