MONTREAL (CP) - Security fears have prompted the relocation of a World Trade Organization meeting to another location in Montreal at the end of the month after the host hotel cancelled the reservation.
The Queen Elizabeth Hotel cited a clause in its contract which it believes permits the long-standing reservation with the federal Department of International Trade to be rescinded, said Sebastien Theberge, spokesman for Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew.
Government officials were notified of the hotel's concerns during routine operational meetings last week, he said in an interview from Ottawa.
The landmark downtown hotel was concerned about massive anti-globalization protests aimed at disrupting the meeting of trade ministers scheduled for July 28-30.
"They (the hotel) felt that security and logistical requirements may have inconvenienced clients," Theberge said.
"Of course, we're disappointed but everything is on. We're well-prepared to hold the meeting in a safe and organized fashion."
The department disagrees with the hotel's interpretation of a relocation clause and has referred the matter to its lawyers, he said.
Theberge wouldn't say if the government would be seeking compensation for additional costs that accrue.
"There will certainly be a pretty heavy cost associated with this move," he said, without providing a specific cost for the gathering.
Officials from the hotel and Fairmont Hotels' head office in Toronto didn't return several calls seeking comment.
Theberge wouldn't identify the new venue until the verbal agreement is finalized.
The group organizing the protest saw the change of location as a small victory in its battle against what it sees as an undemocratic trade organization.
"It gives us pleasure and a little energy to know that they are aware that we exist," said Melanie Sylvestre, spokeswoman for Mobilization populaire contre l'OMC.
But Theberge denied the change in venue gave the department a black eye.
"We believe a healthy debate should take place but the use of civil disobedience is not looked at favourably by Canadians," he said.
"Protesters unfortunately should be aware that the issues that are being discussed by ministers directly tackle the challenges globalization has brought forward . . . ."
Activists plan to hold two simultaneous marches on the opening day of the meeting, culminating in a rally at the new hotel.
The protesters argue international trade deals threaten workers' rights and environmental-protection laws.
About 25 ministers from WTO member countries, including Canada, were scheduled to hold the closed-door session to prepare for a full meeting in Mexico later this year.
Hundreds of bureaucrats and journalists are also expected to attend the talks, which are aimed at reducing import tariffs and other trade barriers in a bid to boost the global economy.
Meanwhile, city police have been preparing to avoid conflict that has followed previous, more formal international gatherings.
"There are many scenarios that we are looking at right now," spokesman Pierre Cadieux told Radio-Canada, the French-language television network.
"For now, we are preparing for this event."
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