Stephen Brunette

I am a resident of Ottawa, and was downtown, as I am each and every Saturday and Sunday morning to visit the market/downtown area. I, because of the protestors, was unable to enjoy my time while not at work, doing what I do every weekend. I seen the large amount of police required to keep an eye on the protestors.

My father and I were accidently caught on Wellington St. as the protestors were making there way towards the War Memorial from the Supereme Court. When we finally noticed what was going on, it was nearly too late to get out of the area. But, thank heavens, some police officers protecting the corner of Bank and Wellington, noticed my father and I. They politely asked us if we wanted to exit the area. When I relplied yes, they opened there ranks to let my father and I pass through.

The same thing happened at the corner of Laurier and Elgin. My father and I were trying to get through to catch our bus back home, which the routing had been changed, because of the protests. Again, the police, who were busy keeping an eye on the protestors, asked if we were trying to get across Elgin. When we replied yes, they made sure my father and I got across the street safely, and again, the officers were very polite.

Now, I did not see any of the confrontations between the protestors and the police. But, I would like to offer a few thoughts on the events that happened that weekend.

I wish that the people who took part in the protests of the G20 would have taken a sober second look at the timing of such a protest. We have just went through one of the worst atrocities ever commited against inocent people, on September 11th.  Goverments, security forces, and indeed, the population, were not even sure if there were any more terrorists still active in North America. So the police were taking the prudent step to ensure that nothing could or would go wrong.

Also, as a tax paying resident of this city, I was upset by the inability to have access to my cities downtown core, and support the businesses there, because of the actions of a group of protestors with different ideas then the vast majority of the population of this wonderful city.

Also, looking at the biographies of the panel members, I can see that there are no "common folk" on this panel. I guess I now understand the lack of response by the general public, to coverage of this so called "citizens panel". I wonder if it is because the vast majority of the citizens of Ottawa are happy that our police where there to do there job, and think they acted in a responsible manner, considering the circumstances, the climate of fear post 9/11.

Also, my father is a veteran of the second world war, and was ashamed by the protestors who chose to use our National War Memorial as a place to protest, and show such disrespect for those who have given there lives in preserving the right of these people to protest. There are times when the rights of a few must be sacrified for the good and saftey of the majority. I believe this is how the majority of the population of the city thinks, as shown by the lack of interest shown to this panel.

Thank you for letting me make this submission.

Stephen Brunette