This is the text of a letter received July 28, 2010, from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, responding to the letter sent to him and Prime Minister Stephen Harper from President Marjorie Mitchell and Intellectual Freedom Chair Jon Scop, about the curtailment of civil liberties during the G20 summit.
The Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A1
July 22, 2010Ms. Marjorie Mitchell, President
Mr. Jon Scop
Chair, Intellectual Freedom Committee
British Columbia library Association
150-900 Howe Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6Z 2M4Dear Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Scop:
Thankyou for your letter regarding the recent G20 Summit. I appreciate your taking the time to share your comments with me about this important matter.
The Ontario Provincial Police and all participating police forces worked hard to keep citizens and the community safe in what were often very trying circumstances. As you may already know, the Toronto Police Services Board is conducting an independent civilian review into police actions during the summit.
I note that you have also sent a copy of your correspondeQce to the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister. As the G8-G20 Integrated Security Unit falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, it would be the decision of the Government of Canada to hold any public inquiry into security and enforcement activity during the G8 and G20 summits.
As your comments would also interest my colleague the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, I have passed on a copy of your correspondence to him for his information.
Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Scop, thank you again for writing. Please accept my best wishes.Yours truly,
[signed]
Dalton McGuinty
Premier
cc: The Honourable Rick Bartolucci