Police, protesters at least willing to talk

It is still a bit hard to believe that protesters will once again descend on Ottawa - hard to believe because the G8 meetings they will be protesting in late June are taking place in Kananaskis, Alta, not here.

But it appears that demonstrations are on the way anyway. So it is encouraging to see that a series of regular meetings is being held between Ottawa Police and representatives of groups involved in peaceful protest.

At Tuesday's meeting, Deputy Police Chief Larry Hill acknowledged that "we can do better when policing major events in Ottawa" This may not satisfy protesters' demands for a police apology for tactics employed during the G20 protests in November, but it is a helpful statement, just as it will be helpful for police to better understand the frustrations of peaceful protesters.

Strange as it may seem, there is no real reason the two groups cannot get along. Both sides have an interest in keeping demonstrations peaceful — the police for obvious reasons, and the protesters because violence and confrontation do severe harm to their reputation and their cause.

At least some of the bitterness arising out of the G20 incidents could have been avoided through better communication. Better late than never.

Ottawa Citizen