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June 29, 2010 at 1:08:00 PM
Rob
This is incredibly disturbing.

Having the Chief of Police lie smugly about a law/regulation which did not exist is abhorrent. The fact that this "law" was enforced anyway (far outside where it should have been, had the regulation even existed) goes to show the police will do whatever they want, whenever they want, regardless of the rule of law.

Police officers in this country cannot create and enforce laws if they feel like it - they are held to a higher standard and must follow the letter of the law, or else they risk losing the trust of the people they are sworn to protect.

Police Chief Bill Blair needs to step down, as he has eroded the public trust in his position. There also needs to be a full, independent inquiry about all aspects of the police's actions this weekend, including illegal searches and arrests, violence towards journalist and peaceful protesters and the deplorable conditions people were detained in.

June 29, 2010 at 1:11:08 PM
Tasha
So, the Chief of Police just admitted that all that search and seizure with threats of arrest for non-compliance I saw dotted around my city this weekend was bogus.

If you aren't mad at the police for the other things they did this weekend, I think most reasonable people would agree that violating our right to protection from unreasonable search is going just a bit too far.

June 29, 2010 at 1:14:29 PM
Roger Hogue
What? The Chief of Police told us that the fence was off limits and then later tells us he was only fooling?
Are we to believe him next time he tells us anything?
I think he has lost all credibilty and must resign.

June 29, 2010 at 1:33:40 PM
Blaine
So Chief Blair openingly lied to the public on Firday, was caught today by a reporter and admitted that many of the weapons on display during today's press conference had nothing to do with the G20 and supported the detainment of hundreds of innocent civilians in the pouring rain on Sunday. Chief Blair you quickly are losing credibility and how are we supposed to belief anything you say. And why not just release the video tapes of the dentention centre what is taking so long or do you need time to edit them.
Chief Blair it is time to resign you are a disgrace to the uniform.
Signed formaly loyal supporter.

June 29, 2010 at 1:34:23 PM
Adrian
Welcome to Police State Toronto.

June 29, 2010 at 1:42:52 PM
mbc
All this complaining about Police over reaching their authority needs to stop NOW!. The only mistake Police made was not using brute force Saturday the second the first Police car was fire bombed to show who's in charge. Everyone who was protesting "peacefully" should have vacated the area immediately and showed that in Canada this isn't acceptable regardless of the cause.

Toronto Police you did a FANTASTIC JOB considering the circumstances.


Mr Harper- the events of the weekend don't prove the high cost of security was necessary. It proves that events like this should not be held in urban city centres if even Canada is not immune to the violence these events always bring. As Canada's leader you failed us in not realizing this.

June 29, 2010 at 1:52:30 PM
Jesse
This is the first time in my life i have ever seen such abuse of power. Not just the brave police for standing in harms way, but with Toronto's own Mayor, and Canada's own PM.
This is not how Canada handles situations.

I beg everyone to remember this weekend when voting time comes around. Canada needs to unite together stand up to this abuse.

June 29, 2010 at 1:55:41 PM
CC
THe chief lied then. He is not worth his pay check.
then why did the arrest people for doing nothing?

June 29, 2010 at 1:57:22 PM
Eric
shame on the cops...that explains why they never caught the punks before the vandalism started...lack of focus on the real problem...punks.

June 29, 2010 at 1:58:04 PM
decodemydna
this is disgusting. Blair and the entire TPS should be ashamed of themselves.

June 29, 2010 at 1:58:23 PM
annoyed
We're going to be out on a bridge today along the 'Highway Of Heroes' to honour those who died in battle for our country. Now we just had a conference of top nations trying to improve things for us. In this story it is revealed that there was intentional misleading to the public to protect a handful of those people. So our laws were bent and freedom changed for a few days. How can Mr. Blair stand out on the same bridge I'm on to honour those who died fighting for our freedom when he changes it as necessary, really to make his job easier. In my humble opinion, that makes the whole weekend a hypocrisy.

June 29, 2010 at 1:59:00 PM
anonymous
this whole story here, is telling me that the government in rule for the country wont allow me to live my life as a human.

I find this very disgraceful, repulsive and utterly outrageous. I have seen videos of peaceful protestors in "Canada" get arrested and they were clearly in their own rights to do so.

June 29, 2010 at 2:24:50 PM
RS
This is an astounding abuse of trust. The Chief's deliberate duplicity may even be criminal.

We witnessed a shocking disregard for constitutional rights this weekend. The police and the politicians need to be held accountable.

June 29, 2010 at 2:26:45 PM
Andrew
Police by law are allowed to ask for anyone's ID and search their bags. Failed compliance to the request can result in fines and jail. This isn't new or an abuse of power.
The Police did a phenomenal job this weekend and I am proud to live and work in Toronto.

June 29, 2010 at 2:26:57 PM
taxpayer
This whole charade was absolutely disgusting. The fact that more people aren't outraged by this is appalling as well. I'm a tax payer, never had a ticket and I find this appalling that everyone thinks anyone that doesn't agree with the police is a punk or something equivalent.
1. Police lied to, held people, searched them, threatened them with arrest based on fake lies
2. There's not enough proof for me to say all the black bloc were agent provocateurs BUT, there is enough proof of this happening previously that I wouldn't put it beyond the police to do it again.
3. The whole incident with the torched police car is a joke, what are the cops doing driving their car and then abandoning them in front of unruly individuals. What do you think was going to happen?

June 29, 2010 at 2:28:44 PM
Paasdaar
Toronto Police Services are no where close to fight such events.
They were scared. You already had made a mess by putting 1 Billion of our tax money for this crap.
Shame on Harper. You come and appologize for doing so after the fact.

Your loser and uneducated prime minister.

June 29, 2010 at 2:30:39 PM
Robert
I like to personally thank the police for the incredible job they have done over the past few days. When faced with a damned if they do, damned if they don't scenario, they showed professionalism above and beyond the call of duty, time and time again. It is a shame their actions are being brought into question over half truths and exaggerated claims by those who have a vested interest in justifying their own recent lapses in judgement.

Despite being warned against entering a volatile environment, despite being cautioned about risks to their personal safety, protesters each made a personal choice to put themselves in harms way. I have absolutely no sympathy for these people who are now pleading civil rights violations and infringement.

June 29, 2010 at 2:38:41 PM
HLB
To all you bleeding hearts... give me a break. The police did their jobs and I applaud them. I would love to see all the complainers on here try and do the job of a police officer amidst violence, vandalism and chaos. The only people crying foul here are those people who were in the downtown area to cause destruction.

GOOD JOB TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR POLICE SERVICES!

June 29, 2010 at 2:39:40 PM
BC
This is very wrong.

We have Canadians fighting for and dying for the rights that were violated with such lies here in Toronto. Bless our soldiers. My father, a world war II vet, my grandfather (in two wars) and
all the other GREAT Canaadians who served to help protect our freedom. They must be rolling in their graves. How dare they take our right of freedom from us with LIES and threats. I was all for the stance they took against the rebels but HOW, HOW can this be. Arrest and convict but do NOT deceive with LIES. It makes me wonder if all that is said is true. Are the items he was showing us true, are the facts he tells us true.What the Hell happened to honour. We all wonder what has happened to our society.

June 29, 2010 at 2:41:57 PM
Melanie W.
I guess I am one of the supporters of the police services actions during the g20. I think they did a fantastic job and as Robert said they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

My hat is off to the TPS for a damn good job! I thank you for your services.

June 29, 2010 at 2:43:07 PM
Rodney
So it is okay for the Chief to call the Black Bloc 'terrorists' but not okay when people use the same term to describe young males who shoot up Toronto on a daily basis? Makes no sense!

June 29, 2010 at 2:48:29 PM
Peter
You people are hilarious! Abuse of powers by police? Are you kidding me? You were warned over and over again, so don't tell me its your civil right. These are world leaders, of course things will be locked-down. Want your rights? Why not try protesting outside a courthouse, police station, military base or any government related building in Ottawa - what do you think will happen to you? Grow up, I'm proud to be living in Toronto and think the police did an amazing job:)

June 29, 2010 at 2:54:19 PM
Jim
You guys do realize that the pro-police comments in here are plants right?

Police are willing to plant agents into supposed 'anarchist' groups and have them incite a riot, as a way to justify excessive force on peaceful protestors. They have admitted doing so in Quebec.

Is it really beyond them to plant messages on a discussion board?

Toronto is a police state.

June 29, 2010 at 2:54:41 PM
Serge
Are you guys NUTS! So what he lied? He was keeping our city safe. Was any people "arrested" charged with anything that will be on the recorde NO. The Black Bloc HIJACKED these protests to brake stuff, and the orginizers of these "protests" tried to protect them. That is what is criminal, not the police checking identifications. You guys guys have no respect for the fact that these brave police people put their butts on the line to protect our city. Yes the G20 should never have been here, but that is not the police fault.
I am glad they held those people in the rain for hours, serves them right. What, police in riot gear don't scare you but rain did you in.

June 29, 2010 at 2:57:56 PM
Scott
People need to stop comparing what happened in Toronto to a police state. Was anybody killed? No. We're people arrested arbitrarily? Doubtful. Did the police presence potentially save a hell of a lot of property and ensure the safety of bystanders? Yes. Some of you people have no freakin idea what the hell you're protesting and complaining about. Go to North Korea to see a police state in action. Be thankful we live in a society where people aren't shot on the street for protesting and where we can have peaceful protests. The bottom line is this---you protesters essentially sacrificed your rights the moment things started to get violent. Yes, you may not have had any direct part of it, but it was your option to go out and protest instead of staying home and staying out of fire. You opted for the latter and you got burned.

June 29, 2010 at 3:12:21 PM
Gord
Listen,
its one thing to serve and protect but why lie about this.

June 29, 2010 at 3:14:27 PM
LEAFSFANFOREVER
Firstly, all of the police forces did an amazing job this weekend and should be thanked, not bashed.
Police are completely in their right to ask for identification and perform searches should there be probable cause to do so. I think given the circumstances anyone that is asked to produce identification or be searched should be thankful that the Police are doing their job.
As for those that are complaining about the conditions in the detention centre. Are you serious? It is a Detention Centre not ClubMed. I guess you are happy that Homolka got a degree on the tax payers money as well?
People have the Right to Assembly, however, this right ceases once those exercising this right infringe on the rights of others.

June 29, 2010 at 3:16:51 PM
Leigh
Oh for crying out loud people, the police did what they needed to do to protect the city of Toronto as best as they could. It's not like they randomly decided to just start seearching people on a regular day. The G20 was held here and these types of searches come with the territory. Who knows what could have happened had people not been searched. As a citizen of toronto that knows I have no bad intentions...I would have had no problems with them searching me. Get over yourselves, do you think you could have done a better job??? It's not like we're a bunch of care bears walking around....as we found out on Saturday there are some bad apples amongst us.

June 29, 2010 at 3:17:52 PM
Mike
Having the police chief lie is bad enough. Why did none of the politicians who passed the legislation, starting with McGuinty, not come out to correct him?

They have to be held to account too.

June 29, 2010 at 3:20:42 PM
Anonymous Person
So the Ontario Liberals and their Liberal police cheif lied to the public? This is just a taste of what Toronto has in store for itself.

All of these unlawful arrest were made by the Toronto police, not the OPP or the RCMP. People have to place the blame where it is deserved, "on Billy Blairs shoulders".

June 29, 2010 at 3:23:37 PM
~
Everybody hates cops until they need one. civil rights this and that, if the black bloc had of killed someone in their activity, I'm sure it would have been made out to be the cops fault too. You guys need to get a life. Why didn't all you complainers protest the HST this hard?????????????????

June 29, 2010 at 3:28:04 PM
Chato
Welcome to the new world order ladies n Gentlemens!!

June 29, 2010 at 3:36:57 PM
TS
If human rights MUST be denied during G20 meetings I say to hell with G20 meetings all together. They are no more then a puppets in hands of Rothschilds and other bankers.

June 29, 2010 at 3:37:28 PM
905er
So a Police chief admits he deceived the public, basic civil rights of the public were trampled over and people are still defending how the police acted? Just because a few folks got rowdy?

Canadians can be such sheep....I applaud those willing to stand up for what they beleive in by marching to protest, especially against this Government. And just because other countries are worse doesn't mean this was by any means ok.

Yes a few dozen people broke some stuff, it sucks but using that as a justifacation to detain & search thousands is unacceptable.

June 29, 2010 at 3:37:35 PM
AFP
That's really offensive that a man of the law would do something like this. He should be demoted/stripped of his status for doing that.

June 29, 2010 at 3:37:44 PM
Jeff
I would have done the same thing the chief did to keep the security zone safe.

Good for you Chief! You were thinking outside the box for safety.

All you whiners complaining about a police state - have you ever tried to build a deck without the permission of the city? We do not live in a free country so stop your complaining.

June 29, 2010 at 3:38:42 PM
Norm
New World Order in making. It is disgusting how civil liberties and human rights are being removed one by one. Shame on police, shame on Harper and shame on G20 puppet pResidents.

June 29, 2010 at 3:39:37 PM
Galli
This is brilliant. This was a genius move by the police chief and appears to have done its job. Oh dear, some people aren't happy they were lied too. Big deal. The chief kept the criminals away from the fence, just like he said he would.

Am I worried my civil liberties are beiing offended? Absolutely not. I'm worried people are stupid enough to turn up to a protest merely to rubberneck the violence with a cellphone camera. Then they think they have a right to complain about the people who protect this city any way they can.

June 29, 2010 at 3:47:12 PM
Peter
As a visitor to Toronto, I can only say that I don't feel safe anymore here. Not because of the riots but because of the arbitrarily behavior of the Police.

I can only hope that the right people will be held accountable.

June 29, 2010 at 3:55:57 PM
NFL
That is way funny !!
The joke is certainly on the idiotic protestors. Cheers to Blair !!!

June 29, 2010 at 3:59:19 PM
Richard
Police State, Yeah Right. How about looking up the definition of police state. The only reason the police did what they did, was because of the so called social activists who claim to be so peaceful, or when they do get violent and riot, they blame their actions on the place, and scream its all the police fault.
l believe in my civil rights but when people act the way the so called activists did, the police have a duty to step in and protect property and other people from what these activists are doing ie rioting.
Funny how the activists say they are sticking up for people, when the activists are actualy the ones causing the whole problem and forcing the police to step in and protect us.
These same people blamed the police for letting the police cars burn for too long.

June 29, 2010 at 4:00:39 PM
Val
“To serve and protect” you say?…
Now I know exactly who Blair serves and what he protects.
He has been serving anyone in this world but not people of Toronto.
And what do you think he was protecting making up laws for the weekend?
His a**, what else?
Blair, you better continue your career in China or Russia. You served them well. They should give you enough credit for what you have done. Canada is a DEMOCRATIC country. You should have learn what it means before you started fooling around with our rights.

June 29, 2010 at 4:04:14 PM
Sandy
Chief Blair and the men and women of the Toronto Police Service did an absolutely outstanding job of trying to keep the idiots under control. I place little if any credibility in the comments of the rabble that prowled our streets this weekend. We were all warned repeatedly to steer clear, weren't we?

The time has come when organizers of the peaceful protest, such as Sid Ryan and the like should be held legally accountable for failing to control the members of the protest march. They led the "black bloc" through the downtown, and they should be held accountable.

June 29, 2010 at 4:05:41 PM
Anne
If we're going to blame everyone on what happened this weekend, where's the blame to the media? If they hadn't shown the same images over and over and over again (I guess it was a slow news that day) then maybe most of the people would have stayed home instead of rushing downtown to be part of the action and tell their friends and family" yeah man, I was there, I was scared but I've got some great pics. Mistakes happened yes, some people were inconvenienced yes, but you know what? nobody was seriously injured or killed. Why, because the cops were there to keep everyone safe. Police State? Please

June 29, 2010 at 4:09:58 PM
Honestly I dont lie
So the chief lied...and what about his subordinates and the troops? Follow the LEADER? Shame on you all. Harper failed to tell us there were two types of THUGS ..one in black uniform and one in regular uniform (including their leaders)

June 29, 2010 at 4:16:28 PM
DMac
I think it's great. He made one small comment about "...within 5 metres of the fence..." and then let the media and protestors run with yet another non-factual story...and it worked.

By the way, there were no "innocent bystanders" present at Queen & Spadina on Sunday. It was the same looking, same sounding, same acting crowd as Saturday before the riots started. The police containment actions stopped another riot - period - end of story. And, they used no clubs, gas, or rubber bullets to do it.

Everyone there was actively engaging police. I was not watching it from my arm-chair on CP24.

June 29, 2010 at 4:19:33 PM
Safety
Get a grip people. Who cares if the police lied. Who cares if innocent people were blocked in on Saturday. Why were you downtown? You were warned to stay away if you didn't have a need to be there, but there you were out with your cameras taking pictures and videos hindering the ability of the police by your shear numbers. Kudo's to Toronto Police. I was disgusted by the publics reaction and the damage to this great city. Shame on the media for fuelling the fire! Bush league selective reporting.

June 29, 2010 at 4:22:28 PM
DMac
Can anyone explain to me why the 19,800 "peaceful protestors" and media cheered and laughed while the 200 "criminals" destroyed the city? Of course not, because in fact there were 20,000 criminals there...

Oh, and for you conspiracy types: you can stop the guessing. It was obviously CP24 staffers that set the cop cars on fire, to increase their ratings...which were the highest of all time...

June 29, 2010 at 4:27:38 PM
Hellen
I think the police did a great job protecting the city.

This isn't the first time G20 occurred. Why did the government spend such amount of money on security? Ask yourself. Peaceful protests? How can a protest be peaceful? People are obviously protesting against something. Don't tell me people are happy and dandy as they protest. Anger and rage are bound to spark (and evidently did). Such security was necessary or else the outcome would have been infinity times WORSE.

June 29, 2010 at 4:31:05 PM
Lamentation
Unfortunately, this just means that even more trust in the police has been lost. How many more people will never believe or trust what they say again? The argument that they protected property and lives is just nonsense. The crazy looters were allowed to run riot and burn and smash to their hearts content - where were the police? How did the police save lives? I suppose by not shooting into the crowd. I suppose we should say 'thank you'.

June 29, 2010 at 4:33:42 PM
Ryan LeBlanc
Of the people who keep referring to the term "police state". How many have actually travelled beyond the borders of Canada?

June 29, 2010 at 4:37:39 PM
JK
Why did the police feel they had to lie.?

The G20 summit should never have been held downtown. All they had to do was secure a much smaller area and protect it.

This stupid decision forever changed Toronto....no more can we call ourselves Toronto the Good.

Thank you World Leaders...you just created another war zone...and you were all oblivious to it while you holed up in the Royal York.

So sad...wonder how many other "war Zones" are actually caused by politicians being treated like Gods.

June 29, 2010 at 4:46:48 PM
Annonymous
It worked.. didn't it?

Stop complaining.

June 29, 2010 at 4:48:11 PM
Police Supporter
The police handled the G20 summit with great valour and honour and I commend their tireless around the clock efforts to keep the city safe. It is absolutely sickening to read and see them portrayed on TV and in the media as being abusive to the public. Here is my question....What if there was no police there to protect? What then??...Exactly! Complete and utter Anarchy in our city. What if someone was killed because we decided that the police prescence was not necessary, what would everyone be saying then??...I would also like to thank the police men and women who came in from all around this great country and took time away from their own families to protect our city of Toronto....My hats off to all of you...Shame on anyone who does not support our law enforcement men and women.

June 29, 2010 at 4:53:20 PM
shame
It doesn't matter if the police did a good job this weekend or not. They are supposed to set an example in the community by following the laws they enforce. When they start to make their own laws, or break the charter of rights, they are no longer the police force i want in my neighbourhood. The chief lied to everyone, Queen park washed their hands with him. This is not someone i would trust to run one of the nations largest police force, or have my kids look up to.

June 29, 2010 at 5:00:05 PM
Jack B
What Bill Blair has admitted is that the police operated outside of the law, and therefore are not subjected to its protection for acts of physical assault, kidnapping, and unlawful confinement.
Here's what I propose. Since they felt it was okay to treat everyone on the street as criminals and arrest them without charge, the same should be done with every officer - uniformed, plainclothes, undercover - who was scheduled to work the weekend.
All of those officers should be placed in the Eastern Ave center for processing until the actual culprits are found out.
I man, that is how they viewed the protesters and public on Sat and Sun, so if that is the law in their view, then they should be given the same treatment.

June 29, 2010 at 5:02:07 PM
Disgusted
I did not protest this weekend, because unfortunately, protesting gets absolutely NOTHING accomplished in this country. As for the G20, I'm not sure which is more disturbing...the fact that Toronto's police chief thinks lying is a great way to do business, or the fact that there are idiots out there who think there's nothing wrong with it. Maybe our schools need to teach people what civil rights are, and how a free country works because some of the people commenting here don't seem to care about these principals. The Canada I know STANDS UP for freedom. It is utterly pathetic that so many people are willing to give up basic human rights just because the government is spoonfeeding them some BS about safety.

June 29, 2010 at 5:02:47 PM
Disappointed
I remember a time when seeing an officer in uniform in a public place gave a sense of security and safety.
Now you have to worry whether they will decide that their having a bad day and jump all over you because you have a backpack, or wear black clothes.
It sounds like the police need an overhaul in leadership.

June 29, 2010 at 5:04:28 PM
Chris
He should be fired, for this, and all the other mistakes made this weekend.

June 29, 2010 at 5:07:47 PM
MGM
I applaud the TO Police Service for what they did. They risked their lives against a bunch of unlawful destructive punks without a cause. Sorry for the innocent who got caught up in the middle, but they should have left once the violence started. However, I'm sure that if it was near your home or on your street, you would have wanted the police to do more. My only regret is the police not clearing the streets immediately after the 1st car was set a fire.

Good job TPS!!

June 29, 2010 at 5:08:18 PM
Bucky
Andrew, you are incorrect. They can ASK for ID, and they can ASK to search your bag, but under the law, you have a right to refuse because they need to either have a warrant or they caught you committing a criminal act.
Just doing it for the sake of doing it is harassment.
How come we talk about how we fought for our freedoms and how horrible the human rights are in other countries, and then when the same thing happens here, people make excuses and say it's okay?
You can have a Tianamen Sq-like event without a shot being fired, and that's what occurred on the weekend.

June 29, 2010 at 5:10:07 PM
Linda
When the police (or security, or private property owners, etc.) ask me to "move along", I move along.... how hard is that?

Instead, people said - "you can't tell me to move along" and "these are my streets". Give me a break.

What will these people do when they start having children who don't follow instructions meant to protect their safety? let them climb on top of the refrigerator and jump off - becasue after all, its their house, and their fridge and they want to do it? Enjoy your parenting years people... and good luck with that.

June 29, 2010 at 5:11:52 PM
Terr Rohn
The way a police state comes into being is that they don't start off with guns blazing. They invoke certain behaviors a little bit by little bit.
Many here are saying what's the big deal, they didn't shoot anyone. However they did physically assault a lot of people, using clubs. And those people were not doing anything. Conversely, they let the Black Bloc run along the long stretch of College St between Yonge & University without even trying to arrest them.
Today they're searching and arresting people without ID. Tomorrow they'll be using guns. That's the evolution of a police state.

June 29, 2010 at 5:36:43 PM
Zee
He deliberately lied and misled citizens. What else was a farce except for the whole thing?!

I will never fanthom why the police allowed Saturday 'black bloc' to keep ongoing for such a length of time, especially after seeing so many plain clothes officers on Sunday. Was it preplanned to set up Sunday's unreasonable police actions?

I don't like the herding of people and then go in grab and snatch.

I still love my country in spite of so many corrupt civil servants and politicians.

June 29, 2010 at 5:42:59 PM
Tom
NO - if this is what you believe then you've been seriously misled (most probably by the disgrace of what we call the Toronto Police.)

While they have the right to ask for identification, searching of personal baggage IS NOT required. We have NO REASON whatsoever for them to search our bags unless they obtain a warrant to do so. Get your facts straight - the lies the so called police chief told was to mislead people (as they misled YOU Andrew) into believing we must surrender to their intimidation tactics.

June 29, 2010 at 5:43:33 PM
Geoff
Come on - are you people crazy - the cops did a great job to keep things under control !
So what - they purposefully made sure that everyone stayed back as the LEADERS OF THE WORLD met in our good city to discuss improving the quality of people's lives around the world. These people need protection from the crazy maniacs out there !
Thank you Bill and all the other police offers and support staff for working many extra hours to keep our streets safe !
Thank God we live in Canada - the greatest country in the world !

June 29, 2010 at 5:45:09 PM
Eric
We have a Police Chief who is a serial liar, he should be fired on the spot
Evidence points to the fact that they intentionally let 70 or so so-called Black Blocs run wild on Saturday to justify filling up their temp-prisons on Sunday. Thank you for smearing Toronto's reputation and abusing our citizens to justify having the prison set up.

Most important, they do this because we have a weak Judiciary. Parliament makes laws and these Police and RCMP elites decide which ones to obey and make the rest up as they go along because they know that they will never go to jail for it. Contempt of Parliament defined.

June 29, 2010 at 5:49:27 PM
anonymous
The G20 shouldn't have happened here, but you got to wonder...what the hell would any reasonable person be doing within 5.00 meters of the fence? I was woking on a dissertation, other people I know stayed away from downtown. Do you even realize that these proffessional protesters do nothing but travel around to whine and complain? A lot aren't even from Canada, much less TO. It's a shame we couldn't restrict them from flying into the country, burning all that jet fuel. Where are all those environmentalists when you need them? What a waste and disturbance to honest working folks.

June 29, 2010 at 5:50:12 PM
John N.
I don't know what some of you people are complaining about. Let's be real here. Anyone going to a protest during an event such as the G8/G20 summit, knows that there is a possibility of getting hurt or arrested. Those who were responsible for damaging banks and businesses blended with the crowd just by taking off their masks. Everyone is suspicious just by being there. If a peaceful protester got hurt or arrested, that's too bad. They knew the risk. Didn't they? I don't agree with everything the police chief did. However, I ask you or better you ask yourselves. "Can I have done a better job?".

June 29, 2010 at 6:03:20 PM
Rich
Ok people, lets get real here. The fact of the matter is Chief Blair lied and now hes busted and he knows it. Nothing anyone does or says will turn back time and change this. Secondly, this whole police force issue. Some are saying police used too much force, and some say not enough was used. If police did nothing and let the anarchists run wild, people would complain they aren't doing enough, and the downtown core would have probably been destroyed. If the police used force at their own discretion and used force to stop them, people would complain they used militant tactics and were excessive. What would you have done if you were one of those officers on the front line facing tens of thousands of raving lunatics some if not most armed? Probably would have smashed some anarchist skulls together.

June 29, 2010 at 6:10:05 PM
Julia
The Toronto Police Services did what they could to keep control and order, and, at the same time provide security to the IPPs(Internationally Protected Persons) at the Convention Centre under very difficult circumstances. Those that were caught between the police lines at Queen & Spadina had ample opportunities to leave the area before they were blocked in by police. I watched the whole thing on CP24, and, most of the participants of that "protest" left the immediate vicinity and were not blocked in. This goes for members of the media, some left, some chose to stay. Any of those who chose to stay in any area where the police appeared in their riot gear (e.g. in front of the detention centre, Queen's Park, Queen & Spadina) were given more than one warning to leave.

June 29, 2010 at 6:10:22 PM
RS
I can't believe these ignorant comments supporting the police chief's decision to LIE to the public. The police wantonly violated the rights of all sorts of ordinary people in Toronto this weekend, including many citizens who actually live downtown. I have a right to walk down my street without being harassed and bullied by a bunch of power tripping cops!

If you think that when civil liberties are suspended, only the bad guys get hurt, you are woefully misinformed about the history of democracy. The fact is that when the rule of law is thrown out the window, power is exercised arbitrarily. Everyone becomes a potential target for illegal search, even arrest. This is deeply disturbing.

Finally, the police were far from brave this weekend. They had heavy armor and weapons, they moved in mobs, and they brutalized anyone who came near them. Instead of defending helpless people from the rioters on Saturday, they ran away and then went and attacked the peaceful people. I didn't see a single cop put themselves at risk to serve or protect anyone, which is probably why there are no injured police.

June 29, 2010 at 6:18:56 PM
Blair
Good for the Chief. With that one little statement he probably saved Toronto from a lot more trouble.

June 29, 2010 at 6:20:44 PM
HistoryRepeats
I am reading about two Canadian Service personel in Afganistan recently killed and they are defending what we hold precious, the right to ask our elected representative to be accountable. This was thrown on their coffins this weekend in a thumbing-of-the-nose by Mr. Harper (make not mistake) and by those directing the police (apparently Mr. Blair) Being asked for ID just "cuz" ??? Being "rounded up" Sound familiar??? Stand up in the next election folks

June 29, 2010 at 6:23:41 PM
Stides
When will you pro police sheep wake up? It's sad.

June 29, 2010 at 6:27:17 PM
Greg
For crying out loud. Stop bashing the police. We would be so lost without them. To all the police bashers. I hope you need them one day and they don't help you.

June 29, 2010 at 6:42:53 PM
Jim Mckee
well if he lied about that what else did he lie about,How about maybe the cops were apart of the black bloc ? because the cops have lied in quebec in 2007 and were apart of the riot then here is proof. check it out for your self.

June 29, 2010 at 6:57:32 PM
Dan
Wow. Makes you wonder what else the police are lying about...

June 29, 2010 at 6:58:52 PM
Robert
Police plants? Conspiracy of the news media? You can't be serious. I realize it may be fun to play conspiracy theory with your alternative reality, but it really isn't helping anyone. Your demeanor is exactly what led the city to the events of last weekend. Quite frankly, I'm thankful the police were there to offer protection from the weapon bearing individuals "protesting" their perceived oppression by hurting those who had nothing to do with their "cause". Unbelievable...

June 29, 2010 at 7:00:05 PM
Sandy
I cannot believe that some of you people think the police did a good job,or that you think it was ok for Blair to lie to us,Maybe you are one of those under cover police that helped cause all the problems,Maybe it was the police that caused the riot in the 1st place to justify the cost they wasted.The police are nothing better than a gang with a badge.I have lost all respect for our so called police that are thee to serve and protect??? ya what a laugh,I seen how they serve and protect on Sat night.It is sickening that some of you are taking the police actions side.

June 29, 2010 at 8:02:00 PM
Logan
After hearing all of this, I am truly thankful I moved out of Ontario. The government really messed up what used to be a beautiful, peaceful province.
Good luck to the people of Ontario!
You are going to need it.

June 29, 2010 at 8:19:16 PM
RD
If I had any consideration for what Toronto police did last weekend.. that has totally gone, after after reading this news... I do not have any respect , any trust or faith in TORONTO POLICE anymore because I am sure each and every cop knew it and deliberately misused the power.......What they have done is not only illegal .... it is immoral and unethical...and to read that Blair actually smiled when he said it?!!.. He thinks we are all fools?
I would rather have Toronto without a Police chief, than to have someone who is as unethical as Blair.. Any self-respecting Torontonian, will feel affronted as being taken in by this corrupt cop...

June 29, 2010 at 8:41:36 PM
Steven
Toronto police is very dangerous, they have their own laws, could jail you for nothing. They do what they want to do, without any public control.

June 29, 2010 at 8:43:45 PM
WPT
What another lie from McGuinty!!?!?
There's a surprise.. they guy hasn't stopped lying since he came to power...
In a real democracy he'd get kicked out for this and the police chief would as well. But in a real democracy mass arrests and illegal searches and detention would not happen.

A sad day in Canada.. I hope the world takes note!

June 29, 2010 at 8:47:41 PM
Ridiculous
Oh!

WHAT A ROLE MODEL...

SHAME ON YOU!

June 29, 2010 at 9:02:52 PM
Kam
Grow Up!!!!!!!!
This is the reason why all you guys who are complaining, DON'T HAVE A LEADERSHIP JOB!!!!!!!!

how about you guys stop complaining and just FOLLOW, and don't bother to LEAD!!!

June 29, 2010 at 9:06:11 PM
Anne
If I remember correctly, didn't Chief Blair say that a person who is asked for ID can refuse but must walk away? As for the security fence line, common sense says to stay away. We're talking international security...they do have a right to take us out if we threaten their leader. With today's technology, there's no reason to have these Summits in big cities and there's no reason for protesters to make other people's lives miserable. Grow up already! And for the media...stop your inciting with on the run interpretations.

June 29, 2010 at 9:16:26 PM
Yuri
No it didn't work , because in our society people who didn't follow the law gets prosecuted. On the weekend police force who were supposed to enforce the law, broke the law, so how can they enforce the law here if they don't follow it ? It doesn't matter what job they did good/bad, they are supposed to follow the rules. If they don't follow the rules it is no longer an enforcement of the law its "I do what ever I want to do". +

June 29, 2010 at 9:20:59 PM
Philip Maddatu
Dalton McGuinty should hold a press conference and have an open forum/open discussion with the media on this non-existent law. He should also resign. We need a new Ontario premier. Bill Blair should resign - period. His poor judgement has resulted in a lot of false arrests. The police officers who had "abused" their power by way of physical and verbal abuse should be reprimanded and/or suspended and/or terminated depending on the severity of their actions. For the officers that were rightfully justified in their actions then it's completely understandable.

To all those who were falsely accussed and arrested: you have to understand where the police is coming from as well.

June 29, 2010 at 9:24:43 PM
C.A.F.
WOW, just WOW, another joke. This whole weekend can be summed up in two words: Power Trip!
This is what happens when you get a bunch of kids with guns in excess numbers standing around for hours, they get bored and break the rules of society.

June 29, 2010 at 9:26:12 PM
Pastorelli
First they came for the
socialists, and I did not speak out
because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I did not speak out
because I was not
a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left
to speak for me

June 29, 2010 at 9:36:47 PM
George
How many of these Pro-Police postings are written by the Police or other Government employees paid to write Government Propaganda on websites ?

June 29, 2010 at 9:46:06 PM
Peter
To those of you who support Police Chief Bill Blair in his falsity and misrepresentation: shame on you.

This country is based upon the Rule of Law. Our charter guarantees peaceful assembly and freedom of association(section 2). We are also guaranteed to not be arbitrarily searched, detained or imprisoned (sections 8,9) . I am not willing to have all of my rights undone because it is easier for the police to stop criminals by going around the law.

I live in downtown Toronto and personally saw several situations (including Queen and Spadina sunday aft/night) where excessive force was used on innocent and unsuspecting citizens.

June 29, 2010 at 10:58:27 PM
cc
Demand REFORM oust the head of the Ministy of Corrections RICK BARTOLUCCI!! He is the big cheese over all cops in Ont.

June 29, 2010 at 11:13:16 PM
Jake
Bill Blair should step down fantino was way better and im not voting for the Harper government again.. All liees

June 29, 2010 at 11:25:10 PM
kyle
they did what they had to do to keep you safe. and they did the actions of the police were fine and we need to stop complaining about it and move on with our lives. we got off easy with the g20 to begin with compared to when other places held such a event. so why don't we just relax for thursday and enjoy canada day and gay pride weekend (even if your straight like i am)

June 29, 2010 at 11:28:46 PM
jabba
This very clearly says that the summit came first, protection of the citizens of Toronto second, if at all. Completely explains why they did NOTHING to stop the vandalism on Saturday, then stomp on our rights to practice their unexplainable riot control on peaceful citizens on Sunday.

Bill Blair must resign. He's done. I am beyond disgusted at how someone like this becomes chief of police. I am ashamed to be a Torontonian.

June 29, 2010 at 11:46:13 PM
B Wall
I doubt Bill Blair would have been smirking if he was rounded up along with all of his buddies, in a violent manner like his subordinates did, and placed into coups like animals for several hours until he could phone his lawyers.

Yes Bill Blair, it's pretty funny that you broke down many people who believed in the law and the country and that the police were there to protect them from harm, not be the ones perpetrating the violence on them.

June 29, 2010 at 11:54:30 PM
Penn
If you don't think there were police hiding among the protesters, you've either got your head in the sand or you're working for their PR firm.

Let's also be clear, it wasn't just Toronto police. They had police from various places coming into town. Who knows, maybe the three stooges from Montebello were part of the black bloc.

They deliberately kept the laws secret, because they don't want people to protest. Plain and simple. They want to put fear into the public so they will behave like scared cattle.

We live in a civilized society, or so we thought. I agree many of our ways of life is much better than what they have in third world countries. So why do we have to start moving in that direction when it comes to the police handling the people, if the people in general are well behaved? Do we need to move further down the fascism road that we pretend we are not traveling?

June 29, 2010 at 11:59:27 PM
Kyle
Freedom of Assembly is a right granted to us by our charter of rights.

However in the Criminal Code of Canada there is what's called an Unlawful Assembly. An Unlawful Assembly is defined as the following: "An unlawful assembly is an assembly of three or more persons who, with intent to carry out any common purpose, assemble in such a manner or so conduct themselves when they are assembled as to cause persons in the neighbourhood of the assembly to fear, on reasonable grounds, that they
(a) will disturb the peace tumultuously; or
(b) will by that assembly needlessly and without reasonable cause provoke other persons to disturb the peace tumultuously. The assemblies that were happening on Saturday and Sunday may have started with the intent to protest various topics, however definitely degraded into an unlawful assembly." -- Taken from Dept. of Justice website

Furthermore, if you read the article it quotes an NDP critic who states: "Mr. McGuinty's solicitor general misled the people of Ontario and the police into believing that police had the authority to demand identification and to search people without warrants". Which should lead us to believe that Blair too was mislead by this and only found out after the fact like everyone else. I wouldn't jump to a conclusion and be so quick to condemn the police chief but the McGuinty gov't official who let this misinterpretation slide.

Finally, the people who complain about police brutality, etc, etc have no idea how brutal it can be outside this country. You do a protest in China; cops don't show up, the army comes in and you get the Tiananmen Square massacre.

People need to put things in perspective.

June 30, 2010 at 12:01:33 AM
Betty
When a person is down and not resisting a cop has no right to kick or punch a Canadian citizen.I would like to have seen the faces of the mothers of those macho, big goons called cops. i am glad my son never decided to be a cop. And of course their faces were covered. Dalton The brainless is finished in this province I hope. Not even during FLQ crisis was it as bad as this wkd.! Law was hidden and poorly defined. So ? What happens now? Law suits I hope.

June 30, 2010 at 12:10:52 AM
Eduardo Salgado
If I understand correctly, the Chief of Police and the Public Safety Minister basicly addmited to lying to the public, plain and simple. The Chief of Police essentialy invetned or purposely misinterpreted a law to do what he wanted (ID, search and detain outside the security perimeter), and not be restricted by the Law. And the Government went along.

Aside from the very grave implication of not being able to trust what the Police and Government say, I find it extemely troubling that they are so cavalier about their lying! I don't know, but if I were to lie to the police or the government, and then they found out, I'm pretty sure the consequences would be pretty dire...and I would have to show remorse.
No amount of security requirements for ANYONE justifies police and government doing this to the rule of law and civil rights in ANY country.
Someone has not only to loose his job, but face some type of charge too. I'm sure any other person from the "civilian" population would.

Once again, if I'm understanding correctly that the Chief of Police and the Public Safty Minister lied to do what the Law didn't allow them to.

June 30, 2010 at 12:14:59 AM
Lair of the Liar
What do you call rounding up hundreds of people just to allegedly look for a few vandals? Lazy police work.

Bill Blair should change his last name to B-Liar.

Why did the police let the black bloc run down College St if they were so eager to protect the city from vandals? And then they left a few sacrificial police cars out in the street so they could be vandalized and placed in the news for the world to see how horrible things were in Toronto.

But all the pictures of peaceful protesters being beaten by police have been quietly kept out of the media.

June 30, 2010 at 1:18:19 AM
john
WOW! I just can't believe it...even after all the lies; the abusive actions and unjustifiable arrests there are still some people who think that the strong man tactics taken by the police over the weekend were acceptable.

Yes, there were some bad apples (50...a hundred...maybe even 150 people, not 900) in the crowd that decided to become violent and performed acts of vandalism. Those few should have been dealt with at that moment. If a robbery is in progress and a number of police officers happened to be in the area would they just standby and watch as those perpetuating the crime fled from the scene?

Some of you out there might be fine with politicians and police officers lying to you. You may be okay with being told what to do and how to do it. “After all it is the Canadian way”!!! And that’s fine, but don’t come down on those people who actually get out there and attempt to bring about positive changes by peacefully challenging the norm. Many of the freedoms and liberties we all enjoy today were brought about through peaceful protest and demonstration in mass.

By the way, the last time I checked, protesting peacefully or just standing around in a public place was not a crime, not in Canada anyway.

The Prime Minister, the Premier and the police chief are just as responsible as those who committed the criminal acts for everything that took place this weekend.

Bring on the independent inquiry

June 30, 2010 at 1:22:01 AM
Gabe
These people protect your streets everyday and deal with the worst, show some respect.

June 30, 2010 at 1:27:03 AM
Non-violent protester
I was there, and saw a good portion of this, likely more than the mainstream news coverage. After 10,000 people protested the target I watched from afar as police allowed the black bloc of around 20-30 people start destroying obvious targets, terrifying onlookers, who were confused by the total lack of police confrontation. Justification, it seems, for the massive spending, and the depolorable and well documented brutality and illegal actions of the Toronto ISU.

June 30, 2010 at 1:30:07 AM
Paul F
Im looking forward to his resignation.


Im not holding my breath...we all know cops are above the law and nothing will happen....
Sad times we live in...

June 30, 2010 at 1:57:16 AM
K Perreault
My son in law had two US Homeland security officers pull guns on him at the GO Train outside of TO. They wrote him up for domestic terrorism because he was on his way to a hobby event in Mississaga. Fortunately a TO cop denied the US Homeland security the right to do that. They did take all his gear. After living and raising my kids in Ontario I can not believe that Harper would of allowed US anything into Canada. Now I hear that all confiscated items are being held indefinately. Shame on you. Violation of rights? You better believe it.

June 30, 2010 at 3:03:59 AM
that guy
WHO CARES??? You're not supposed to be by the fence during G20...that's the rule. Half of the people who were downtown on the weekend were half-assed flickr photographers and posers anyway. You don't need to be near the area where this event takes place; it's simple. It has nothing to do with your rights, it's about the fact that most of us/you can't control your/ourselves in the situation of a protest and therefor, they are going to keep you away. All they had to do was tell you not too, and you didn't. It's effective.

You can get away with smoking weed on the street, drinking a beer in the park, and doing whatever else you want in downtown Toronto...what more do you want? They ask you to stay away and relax for one weekend, and you can't.

I live down here, and I was in and out of the area the entire weekend, and it was nothing but a crowd of idiots(mostly, not everyone) trying to see or be a part of something.

June 30, 2010 at 3:59:46 AM
Peter
It's hard to believe that there are persons 'proud' of the Police's executions in security operations over the weekend.
I can understand you shoot someone when they touch the fence, but to treat the public like sheep and cattle, shoot projectiles at them for doing nothing other than legally protesting, walking the streets and parks our taxes pay for is crossing bold borders, mind it's disrespectful to fellow human beings. The reason behind the violence was ignited by the tone set forth by Police. It's clear they're supposed to protect us, but those pirate kids DID NOT HURT ONE CIVILLIAN, yet when the cop cars were burning, I failed to see real protection of our safety. If these pirate kids were terrorist, they would have caused terror, yet the majority of the scare and source of terror came from the overly dressed Police. If anyone thinks there was chaos over the weekend they obviously haven't experienced chaos. Chaos would have been the cop cars exploding without any warning of smoke or fire. Everything was in Order, sans Chaos, a billion dollars of your and my, our money spent on a TRAINING EXERCISE, probably in prep for a world/ global upset in the works.

All those broken windows or even the cop cars, certainly don't cost a billion dollars.
When Cops shoot at peaceful protesters singing our national anthem, one has to ask who is committing a crime? There is a hint of treason in the air.

Police officers are just puppets, but some of those puppets take the liberty of pulling their own strings.

June 30, 2010 at 5:53:02 AM
Kyle
Please please please remember this when the next election comes around. I'll take an incompetent party with good intentions over this Conservative party trying to warp Canada in their own image.