MP (Trinity-Spadina) Olivia Chow‘s office has compiled a list of websites, contact numbers and information for Toronto residents living in and around the convention centre where the G20 summit will be held:

Access to your home or work: G8-G20 Integrated Security Unit

The G8-G20 Integrated Security Unit is in charge of security, traffic and access for the event. For information about access to your homes or offices, please visit www.G8-G20isu.ca or call 1-888-446-4047.

Security zone

There will be two fenced-off perimeters. The inner area is a “red zone” which will be secured by the RCMP. This will encompass the summit site, the Metro Convention Centre, and hotels where officials will be staying. The outer area will be secured by the Toronto Police. The exact boundaries will not be released until approximately two weeks prior to the summit.

Superintendent Tom Russell, is the planning lead from the Toronto Police Service. Constable George Tucker is the primary spokesperson and Meghan Gray from community relations and public affairs is also available.

Traffic zone

There will be an outer “traffic zone” which will cover the area between Yonge St. and Spadina Ave., King St. and Lake Ontario. This zone will remain open to pedestrians and vehicles. However, expect delays as passage will be temporarily restricted at times due to the passage of motorcades. It is highly encouraged that alternative transportation be used during the summit weekend.

Union station will remain open. TTC and GO service are not expected to be affected.

There will not be any access to the Ward’s Island ferry as of June 24.

Accreditation – for easy access to the Toronto Police Security Zone

Accreditation is the voluntary process of obtaining an access card to allow residents or people who work within the outer security zone access to the secure areas of the summit.

This is intended to help people enter the zone as efficiently as possible via an express line. People will not be subjected to security checks when entering the zone with the access card but will be asked to show a piece of photo identification.

The Community Relations Group will be contacting local businesses and condominium property managers inside the outer security area in the coming weeks. Employers and property managers will then relay the information to their residents and employees.

For those who choose not to be accredited, there will be a general public entrance gate where admittance will be at the discretion of the Toronto Police. The security gates to the outer security zone will remain open as long as possible. In the case of a potential security threat, the gates will be shut and no one will be permitted to enter or exit.

Ex Gratia Payments

A dedicated line has been set up to answer your questions about compensation to potential damages or lost business opportunities. Call 1-877-750-6042 for inquiries regarding compensation applications or visit http://g20.gc.ca/important-notices/#payments

The Canadian Government has also set up a general inquiries line. Please call 1-877-G20CAN1 (1-877-420-2261) to leave a message. We have been assured by the Summit Management Office that all queries will be responded to within 48 hours.

Please also visit your local councillor Adam Vaughan’s Website or www.oliviachow.ca for updates. There you will find statements I have made in the House of Commons regarding G8 and G20. You can also download and circulate this petition concerning the G20.