Estimates for the costs of security for the 2010 Olympic games were originally pegged at a mere $186M. A large sum by any means, but the Public Safety Minister is now claiming that estimate is extremely low and that the real costs will range somewhere North of $400M but less than $1B.
Read more here.
Showing posts with label security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label security. Show all posts
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Whistler Headache : Transportation
Whistler's primary concern regarding the Olympic Games is going to be transportation. The full-time, non-Olympic transit system in the resort municipality consists of 25 buses. During the Winter Olympics that number within the resort area will swell to 125.
And these numbers do not include the substantial amount of buses that will probably be used to transport people up and down the Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver. Buses may ultimately be the only vehicles, other than emergency, allowed on the to be completed thoroughfare as to achieve the 1hour 30minute time frame quoted for the IOC during the bidding for the 2010 games.
These concerns were addressed at the primary Whistler civic consultation meeting held last night.
Other issues that Whistler will be dealing with and continuing to work out right up until the Opening Ceremonies include accommodation and security.
And these numbers do not include the substantial amount of buses that will probably be used to transport people up and down the Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver. Buses may ultimately be the only vehicles, other than emergency, allowed on the to be completed thoroughfare as to achieve the 1hour 30minute time frame quoted for the IOC during the bidding for the 2010 games.
These concerns were addressed at the primary Whistler civic consultation meeting held last night.
Other issues that Whistler will be dealing with and continuing to work out right up until the Opening Ceremonies include accommodation and security.
Monday, May 12, 2008
News : RCMP Procures Blue Horizon
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have procured the landmark Blue Horizon motel on Robson Street in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic Games.
The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit made the contract directly with the Blue Horizon Hotel for it's entire 300 units for the games. The contract will commence January 31 through March 2, 2010 with the option to extend if necessary.
The RCMP has not talked publicly about how many beds it will require for the games security but there is no doubt that the task at hand is quite daunting. More than 12,000 security persons will be tasked with the job during the games.
The Security Unit will protect some 5,000 athletes, 10,000 media, 25,000 volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of visitors & spectators.
The total security budget, believed to be under funded, was originally $175M.
The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit made the contract directly with the Blue Horizon Hotel for it's entire 300 units for the games. The contract will commence January 31 through March 2, 2010 with the option to extend if necessary.The RCMP has not talked publicly about how many beds it will require for the games security but there is no doubt that the task at hand is quite daunting. More than 12,000 security persons will be tasked with the job during the games.
The Security Unit will protect some 5,000 athletes, 10,000 media, 25,000 volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of visitors & spectators.
The total security budget, believed to be under funded, was originally $175M.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
News : Helicopters Being Prepped for 2010
Much like at the G8 conference held in Kananaskis, Alberta in 2002 the Canadian Armed Forces will likely have Griffon helicopters on hand for patrols.
19 CH-146 Griffons are currently being upgraded with infrared surveillance systems.
The Forces will probably take over one of the smaller airports in the GVRD during the Olympics as their staging ground. Possible airports include Boundary Bay Airport, Langley City Airport, or part of the South Terminal at YVR.
The 2010 G8 convention will also be held in Canada though a location has yet to be announced.
Calgary Herald Article.
19 CH-146 Griffons are currently being upgraded with infrared surveillance systems.
The Forces will probably take over one of the smaller airports in the GVRD during the Olympics as their staging ground. Possible airports include Boundary Bay Airport, Langley City Airport, or part of the South Terminal at YVR.
The 2010 G8 convention will also be held in Canada though a location has yet to be announced.
Calgary Herald Article.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
News : CSIS Watching Anti-Olympic Protest Groups
Canwest News Service has obtained a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report to the Department of Public Safety. In the report it is noted that CSIS has been monitoring anti-Olympic protesters for more than a year.
Specific groups are highlighted, described, and their previous protest actions noted.
The CSIS reports warns that VANOC may not be doing enough to quell fears of significant 2010 protests as multiple groups, many focused on Aboriginal rights, may likely converge and band together for protests leading up to and during the Olympic events.
This report was obtained just days after another security expert raised fears of potential protest issues.
More from Canwest.
Specific groups are highlighted, described, and their previous protest actions noted.
The CSIS reports warns that VANOC may not be doing enough to quell fears of significant 2010 protests as multiple groups, many focused on Aboriginal rights, may likely converge and band together for protests leading up to and during the Olympic events.
This report was obtained just days after another security expert raised fears of potential protest issues.
More from Canwest.
Monday, May 5, 2008
News : Protests & Violence Could Increase for 2010
A Canadian counter terrorism expert is predicting that violence will increase and will culminate at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
In unprecedented fashion various protest groups are starting to plan further in advance and take bolder actions in their efforts to protest.
More and more groups are also taking bolder actions by calling out individuals online and sometimes inciting violence against those persons.
More from The Province.
In unprecedented fashion various protest groups are starting to plan further in advance and take bolder actions in their efforts to protest.
More and more groups are also taking bolder actions by calling out individuals online and sometimes inciting violence against those persons.
More from The Province.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Possible First Nations Protests During 2010
Phil Fontaine, the national chief of First Nations peoples in Canada, acknowledged today at a press conference unveiling May 29 as the second annual National Day of Action for First Nations, that there has been some discussion among chiefs to use the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as an opportunity to gain international recognition of the plight that many First Nation's Communities face.
This revelation that protests may occur is "a bit odd" according to Chuck Strahl, the federal minister in charge of Indian Affairs. This especially true since the four bands who's homeland will host the games has been extensively consulted with throughout the Olympic process, ensured a positive economic impact, and given a significant role in planning the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.
But the fact remains that many of Canada's poorest residents are members of the First Nations. The poverty that some of these bands deal with is simply inhumane. Some reserves are without basic medical or education facilities. Other bands who have economic optimism are often bogged down in years of legal bureaucracy when trying to develop 'their' lands because the properties no longer fall under city or municipal planning rules but under separate, vague guidelines.
Canada has work to do, but the potential protesting at the Olympics, in a province trying very hard to settle native land claims in good faith, is quite interesting.
More from Canada.com.
This revelation that protests may occur is "a bit odd" according to Chuck Strahl, the federal minister in charge of Indian Affairs. This especially true since the four bands who's homeland will host the games has been extensively consulted with throughout the Olympic process, ensured a positive economic impact, and given a significant role in planning the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.
But the fact remains that many of Canada's poorest residents are members of the First Nations. The poverty that some of these bands deal with is simply inhumane. Some reserves are without basic medical or education facilities. Other bands who have economic optimism are often bogged down in years of legal bureaucracy when trying to develop 'their' lands because the properties no longer fall under city or municipal planning rules but under separate, vague guidelines.
Canada has work to do, but the potential protesting at the Olympics, in a province trying very hard to settle native land claims in good faith, is quite interesting.
More from Canada.com.
Friday, April 11, 2008
VANOC Says Global Torch Relay Unlikely
Although VANOC says it has never considered a global torch relay as a part of it's 2010 festivities it now seems almost certain that the relay will be almost solely focused on Canadian soil.
John Furlong spoke in Beijing after a meeting with the IOC and said that the torch relay for the Vancouver games would focus on Canada. Stops in Europe on the way from Olympia, Greece, may be considered.
There has never been a global torch relay for the winter olympic games.
The planned Vancouver 2010 torch relay through Canada already involves 1,000 cities, 35,000 km and 200 celebrations over 100 days. About 12,000 runners will carry the flame.
More from Yahoo!India.
John Furlong spoke in Beijing after a meeting with the IOC and said that the torch relay for the Vancouver games would focus on Canada. Stops in Europe on the way from Olympia, Greece, may be considered.
There has never been a global torch relay for the winter olympic games.
The planned Vancouver 2010 torch relay through Canada already involves 1,000 cities, 35,000 km and 200 celebrations over 100 days. About 12,000 runners will carry the flame.
More from Yahoo!India.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Beijing : Terror Plot Foiled
Officials in the People's Republic of China are claiming to have foiled a major terrorist plot aimed at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
45 people have been arrested in the Northwest region of the country, an area that is predominantly Muslim.
Officials claim the group was planning to kidnap athletes, journalists, and tourists. Some reports also claim that the group was planning suicide bombing attacks at the games.
More from the Telegraph.
45 people have been arrested in the Northwest region of the country, an area that is predominantly Muslim.
Officials claim the group was planning to kidnap athletes, journalists, and tourists. Some reports also claim that the group was planning suicide bombing attacks at the games.
More from the Telegraph.
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