Quebec City mayor confident Ottawa will reimburse citizens for G7 protest damage

Not having a security perimeter in Quebec City when protesters converge in the provincial capital next week to mobilize against the G7 summit is intelligent, Mayor Regis Labeaume said Wednesday.

“You shouldn’t be obliged to give them an objective,” Labeaume told reporters Wednesday after he spoke to a business luncheon in Montreal.

“The last (summit) there was a barrier - so the protesters knew exactly where to put on a show. So, we’ve evolved.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is welcoming world leaders for the 44th annual G7 summit in La Malbaie, about 140 kilometres north of Quebec City.

The town of 8,000 will be in virtual lockdown during the June 8-9 meeting and protesters won’t be able to get anywhere near the hotel where the heads of state will be staying.

Activists have chosen instead to gather in Quebec City for three consecutive days of activities and demonstrations, beginning June 7.

Businesses and citizens with property around the downtown area are worried, Labeaume said. Gatherings of leaders from wealthy states often attract thousands of protesters, with some engaging in violent acts toward property and the police.

During a recent tour of La Malbaie, Trudeau said “discussions are ongoing” when he was asked who would pay the tab for any property damage in Quebec City.

The federal government has budgeted $600 million to pay for its year-long, rotating G7 presidency, the responsibilities for which include hosting the summit.

Ottawa explicitly said it would pay for costs associated with loss of revenue for businesses affected by the security perimeter around La Malbaie, but has so far offered no guarantees about property damage.

Labeaume said he’s confident the federal government would assume the costs.

“The summit costs $600 million - I think there will be money left over to reimburse business owners,” he said.