Harper says artificial lake cost $57,000, not $2M

The $2 million price tag of the artificial lake that is being built for G20 comes with more than just a body of water, according to the Conservatives.

CTV Toronto: Galit Solomon on the controversy

Opposition politicians have been making hay of a 'fake lake' for G20 reporters, but the government says the costs have been wildly overblown. Galit Solomon has reaction.

Power Play: Dimitri Soudas on the 'artificial lake'

Director of communications for the prime minister says that the building of this exhibit is a great opportunity to leave a good impression on the media from all over the world.

Power Play: MPs' discuss the 'fake lake'

Martha Hall Findlay, a Liberal MP, says regardless of how much the cost it's ridiculous. Mike Lake, a Tory MP, says he is proud of the leadership that Canada is showing on the world stage.

Question period: G20 battle in Ottawa

For the second day a in row, the opposition hammers the Conservative government on the costly price and relevance of the summits.

CTV Toronto: Austin Delaney on a show of force

Police kept a very close eye on a Tuesday news conference where activists said the high level of G20 Summit security is designed to stifle legitimate dissent. Austin Delaney reports.

Canada AM: Peter Power, consultant

A former member of the Scotland Yard Anti-Terrorism Branch and member of the U.K. Security Review Commission discusses the money being spent by Canada on G20 security, compared to what was spent in London in 2009..

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 8, 2010. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Jun. 8 2010 8:33 PM ET

"This is a classic attempt for us to market the country," Harper told an outraged opposition Tuesday during question period.

The opposition was quick to protest the cost, which is in addition to the estimated $1 billion being spent on security for the upcoming G20 and G8 summits in Toronto and Huntsville, Ont.

"What do fake lakes, gazebos and boats that don't float have to do with security?" Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff asked during question period Tuesday. "It's not just a waste of money, it's that the summit promises to deliver so little on climate change, on women's rights and jobs and growth."

Harper said it's too early to judge the summit's outcome.

On Tuesday morning, the Conservative government issued the new cost breakdown for the controversial artificial lake that is being constructed in the media centre for the G20 summit.

The so-called "fake lake," as it was quickly dubbed by the opposition, boasts Muskoka deck chairs, canoes, a placid lake and star-filled sky.

It was reported on Monday that the lake display, intended to serve as a backdrop for international TV reporters, cost a whopping $2 million.

Government officials scrambled to get the word out to reporters that the lake itself actually cost only $57,000.

Officials said that $57,000 is part of the roughly $650,000 price tag for the entire Muskoka-themed Experience Canada exhibit, which includes the lake, chairs, dock and canoes, a large-screen TV displaying pictures of Canada, as well as wireless work stations for journalists.

The $650,000 represents about one third of the total cost of a larger 22,000-square foot, $1.9 million Enterprise Canada display designed to promote investment and interest in Canada to the thousands of international media and dignitaries who will be in town for the event.

That includes the cost of designing, building and tearing down the display after the G20, according to the PMO.

Dimitri Soudas, Harper's director of communications, said the new figures were in fact not new at all. Rather, "some of them may have been missed" when the details of the display were first released.

"But ultimately what this comes down to is a unique opportunity where we have over 3,000 media from all over the world that pretty much have two options: they're going to come to Canada and leave with a good impression or no impression," Soudas told CTV's Power Play. "So the government will put its best foot forward to make sure that our great country is showcased in the best possible way."

Soudas pointed out that representatives from agencies such as the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Tourism Commission, as well as officials with the Ontario government, all weighed in with their ideas for the pavilion.

When asked why the government doesn't just use the nearly $2 million budget to take all 3,000 journalists up north, Soudas replied: "Well, if you find the space we'll make every effort to accommodate that."

While the G20 meetings are being held in downtown Toronto, the smaller G8 meetings are in Huntsville, in Ontario's picturesque Muskoka region.

Comments are now closed for this story

Niagara George
said

Canada recently hosted the world at the Vancouver Olympics. $900 million was spent keeping 5500 athletes and offcials safe and secure. That was a huge amount, but history tells us the Olympics could be a place where terrorists act. Now Canada hosts the world again. This time $1 000 000 000 is being spent keeping King Stephen and 19 of his associates safe and secure, for 3 days, at an event protesters have attended in the past, but true terrorists have never made their presence known. The Olympics operating budget was $1.75 billion, only $.75 billion more than the operating budget for this 'leadership' fiasco. You can be absolutely certain, $57 000 did not cover the cost of the deck chairs at Lake NeoCon. It may have covered the cost of the water. That is the way Harper often misleads... after all a lake is water, so you can't say it was a direct lie.

Harper's Imaginary Canada
said

So $2million for 200 reporters for 3 days? That's $10,000 a reporter and that DOESN'T include the free booze and food.And then it's all dismantled afterwards. A homeless shelter or the same $ for Toronto's poorest schools would pay back dividends for a lifetime.

CM
said

Come on Mr. PM...you continue to announce cuts to DND and manage to spend a small fortune on an artificial lakes--realism or idiocity; I vote for the latter as Muskoka has several lakes available without the requirement to build a lake...really. "You show me where I can put them, and I'll make it happen" kind of mentality/thinking needs to be changed....feeling on the offensive, Mr Prime Minister?

Canada Goose
said

A billion for security and they're hiring Acting Students to fill the Vacancies in a Company not even Licensed in Ont. 1.9 Million for a pool with 4 inches of water in it, a few canoes and some lawn furniture. I guess the rest(1.89 million) is for Booze so they won't notice they're in a Building in downtown TO and not @ the Beach. Hope they're not too drunk to write about the beautiful scenery on the Television behind the Pool. Spare No Expense! Weenie Tots all around!!

Ben Doverfolks
said

As it has been pointed out, Ontario has thousands of lakes, and Stephen's government chooses to create a fake lake to showcase the natural beauty of this land. A bit of an oxymoron if you ask me.

George Alberta
said

It's still over a billion dollars for this dog and pony show and reeks of incompetence and a complete lack of fiscal conservatism. Our Reform government is rotten to the core and out of touch with Canadians.

Diane Samuel, London ON
said

Lake Waste'o'MoneyLast time I checked, Canada was in a financial crisis, and our federal deficit was the highest it has ever been. PM Harper represents no interests except corporate interests, and Canadians are being very slow to react to our public services being sold off behind our backs, while Harper fetes the world and sells of our land, water and air to corporate interests with our taxpayers' money.I predict that the Canada with a social net, and some semblance of environmental protection, will be a distant memory within three years, and this G20 is the beginning. Harper does not represent any Canadian who is not part of the corporate elite, who is snapping up our public assets and natural resources at bargain rates with his help and blessing. Backroom deals- more than ever before, and at our environment's expense.

Sue
said

If you want to show off Canada, show off Canada!!! This is a waste of money & a stupid idea to show them a pavilion that is all phony. Canada is not about phony, but this Harper government is sure phony.

Andrea in Ottawa
said

Still there is no need to spend 1 billion on security and on things the people at these Summits won't even use.For the agenda, well just wait until some of the world leaders hit our PM with the frying pan of words to stick to the agenda

uncanny
said

It's not a "fake lake" that cost $2 million, it's a "fake lake" that's part of a $2-million "marketing pavilion" partially aimed at foreign journalists, Prime Minister Stephen Harper clarified Tuesday. And it's still a bloody waste of freakin' money..what a crock this is....Do you need it NO...

Steve In Ottawa
said

Sorry I don't agree with you people. Tourism is declining everywhere. It is a big job creator and a real revenue producer because the money flows from outside Canada, and is not re-circulated. $2 million is peanuts in this game; Nike regularly pays star athletes $50 million to endorse their products. In my opinion $2 million is not enough. We have the best and most influential journalists from the entire world coming to see our country and it is well worth the effort to impress them. We are spending $2 million on a pavilion for 3000 journalists. That is $666 per journalist. They are paying their own way here. You try and get journalists to come and write about your country and see how far you get on $666. What they write and report in their home media will be crucial for our future marketing efforts and will have a huge impact on tourism. If each journalist convinces only 3 people to come to Canada, then this investment wioll have paid for itself. Sorry but you people who are decrying this wise investment are short sighted boneheads.

Al in Orillia
said

I'm amazed at the people posting here! You believe everything you read in the media and everything that the opposition says and think nothing of calling our PM a liar. If this were a hundred years ago, you'd all be lining up at the stonings. Truth is, this government has been the most effective leadership this country has had for decades. Chew on that!

Lady Gaga
said

Although any misuse or abuse of tax payers money should not be condoned, Adscam in total was $400,000. Why do we keep hearing about it from Harper Con supporters. The Con artists consider that pocket change.......marketing pavilions, fake lakes, security and on and on and on............Billions of dollars of waste and they want to focus on $400,000.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

@ Jay, Ottawa: Are you kidding? "Spinning tops" and "yap-traps" offended you? Wow. I think perhaps you're too sensitive, Jay. My apologies, however. What you deem noxious name-calling I simply regard as lighthearted political characterizations directed at those rabid partisan opposers who spew anger, frustration, and kooky contempt. No big deal. Politics is only a polite, pleasant, and cordial game to those who don't have any passion and ideological conviction. For me, it's more like a sport, in which you either fight for your team (ie. those who best represent your wants and beliefs for government) or what's fundamentally "right." Whether someone thinks that I'm divinely and literarily "civil" doesn't matter to me. I didn't get to where I am in my life (business and personal) by being a quiet, delicate, meek, and mild-mannered pansy. Sorry. My views, thoughts, and opinions, and my expressions of them, don't threaten anybody. (On the contrary, I rally some folks, rile up others, and give many a chuckle with my barbed humor.) We all post comments here because we give a damn, and nobody goes to jail for that. Thanks, Jay...but lighten up.

M.M.B. Ont
said

Iggy and Jacky boy can flap their flippers all they want on the cost of the summit but to date have they ever offered what they would have done differently had they been the ones hosting the summits.? I don't think so ! Just a lot of hot air from both of them. And for being Political leaders, I am surprised that neither one has mentioned what Canada will get back in the form of GST and personal income taxes during these summits. Our economy is being stimulated and they don't even know it !!

Lenardo
said

So we know about the lake. What I wanna know is what they're spending on the dancing girls and boys who will be entertaining the leaders and their entourage. Or will they be paying cash for their fun?

Hern E AAh
said

Before people go on about liberal this, conservative that, it's all about government. It doesn't matter who is in power, you get people from different points on the political spectrum who join whatever party is most electable. And then they go on their spending spree.It doesn't matter whether this lake cost $57G or $2M, it's a waste of money for this entire conference to be held in Toronto. The city is being held hostage for a bunch of people who don't even care about what we think.People who plan on Protesting should not. The professional protesters coming in from out of town are probably working for the cops anyway, and the ones who throw stuff will get everyone hurt.Send a message by not showing up, so their reasons for putting up the fence are no longer valid.

Do the Math
said

The so-called "fake lake," as it was quickly dubbed by the opposition, boasts Muskoka deck chairs, canoes, a placid lake and star-filled sky.Government officials scrambled to get the word out to reporters that the lake itself actually cost only $57,000.Officials said that $57,000 is part of the roughly $650,000 price tag for the entire Muskoka-themed Experience Canada exhibit, { which includes the lake, chairs, dock and canoes, a large-screen TV displaying pictures of Canada _ these form the FAKE LAKE as defined above. TOTAL COST $57,000}, as well as wireless work stations for journalists which cost the balance of $593,000. So if a work station costs $3.000, Harper is expecting 200 international journalists at a time at the exhibit. Is this correct? Perhaps not. Where is transparency and accountability?

Craig in Calgary
said

You people won't be happy until they hold the two summits in the basement of the Toronto Holiday Inn, surrounded by racist graffiti and pipe bombs.Then you are going to complain when the international media talks about how shoddy Canadian hospitality is and how poorly managed the summits were.What do you expect? We are showcasing our country to the world and we are protecting the 8 most powerful people on Earth. That takes money!So stop trying to compare it to your small lives and your own hourly wage. You are not running a government so you cannot understand or compare anything.

Larry NL
said

If something like this was built in Ottawa, there wouldn't be any negative feed back at all. Ottawa is the most over killed spending in one city in Canada next to Vancouver. It is about time that money was spent in an area that has to be the most beautiful area in Ontario. This was the perfect excuse to do something right in Ontario that didn't involve Toronto or Ottawa being favoured.

George V.
said

Typical opposition exageration, They will say and do what ever they can to make the ruling party look bad, even say things when they know they are not the truth. With this kind of attitude how can we ever trust them, thank goodness neither of them are governing this country and they never will.

Bob,Calgary,Alberta
said

All this sound and fury from the Canadian public who only get passionate about anything for about five minutes and then vote in the same gang of incompetents, be they Con or Lib, in the ensuing election. I expect that the cost of the G20/G8 conflab is probably within reason given the hordes of media, talking heads, politicos who descend on these meetings. The real problem is the culture of entitlement of the foreign service bureaucrats and their masters that pervades these things. Canada seems so enamoured at being part of the G8 that we will suck up to the others no matter what it costs the Canadian taxpayer. The "punching above our weight" philosophy promulgated by bozos like Axworthy, Clark, Paul Martin costs Canadians too much for the almost infintesimal influence we have. Lets face it, all major decisions at these meetings are really decided by the USA and China with perhaps a few concessions to the U.K.,France and Germany. Canada is really only like a gnat on the wall that buzzes loudly but can be bashed with a flyswatter. I'd rather see us spend much of this money on our athetes so we can kick ass at international competitions. Athletic achievements make Canadians much prouder than entertaining bigwigs like Sarkozy, Merkel, Obama etc.

Geoff
said

Those who thnk this would have cost less if the Liberals were in power are very dillusional. Perhaps they would have been in power if they had a platform, able to organize their own party (let alone Canada) and started to be constuctive instead of demanding commissions all the time.Sadly politics in Canada have sunk to a very sorry state of affaris.

AJ C
said

This is Canada a World Leading and innovative country. So act like it, and show it off the way we want the rest of the world to see us. Are we cheap, poor, and pathetic? Are we just another American city? If you answered "NO" then the G20 and G8 summits are world stages to make an impression. And if you don't like how much it costs, they join the protests downtown and get your money's worth of tear gas and rubber bullets. This is the price tag of being a World Leader and establishing ourselves on the world stage. I don't mind spening this money on hosting the events, if its just the cost of doing business. The other option, is simply breeds mediocracy and weakness. Let's WOW the world again just like we did with the Olympics.

Mary
said

2 million for the pavilion is a huge waste of our money. We all know that this government lies - of that there is no doubt. So, why would anybody vote for them?

Mark - Fort Erie
said

Sounds like the Opposition caught a Red Herring in the fake lake. They are just a bunch of Blowfish, and the media took the bait. ...Whatever floats your boat.....

George Crocker
said

It is shamfull how the the tourisum promotion during the G8 and G20 summits are being portrayed by political parties aided by media. The bottom line is Liberals and NDP have now a coalition. Toronto is NDP and liberal. A lot of money is being spent in Toronto by conservatives. This leads to worry by MPs Lib/NDP how citizens will view conservatives during election. Funny how the media has ignored that story. Please let all forget about party afliation wouldn't it be great if politians would think about what is good for Canada not their party. Lets all promote Canada, not tear it down for foolish politial gain. It is the country that is most important not the less than hourable political party's or MP's.

Mark
said

Sounds like a bargin, compared with what the Liberal Government spent on Adscam ........

Cam Bob
said

Harper really targets the uneducated, ignorant people in Canada. If I was going to invest in another country a fake lake would be of no interest to me. It would take a trip through cottage, see some real lakes, meet some people. Harper is so phony himself he think the rest of the population is stupid.

simon
said

"""Harper says artificial lake cost $57,000, not $2M""" AND Dimitri Soudas says that the FAKE LAKE cost $500,000. Will the Tax Payers ever know the TRUTH about this mess?

Ian in stratford
said

ok now it seems that the number has changed. WE are told how much it will bring to Canada and its reputation. BUT here is my question...how much is TO losing by hosting this ?? Blue Jays move their series out of town. AGO shut down for the weekend. Major theatre shut down. How much is this costing the tourism industry to host this ????? Why couldn't we host this in say a smaller area like east coast, norhtern ontario, western cities that it would actually help showcase them not TO which already has good exposure. ALso i bet the bill to host this (aka sercurity) would be half of 3/4 of what it costs in a city liek TO. good forward thinking Canadian goverment

Tim Bucktoo
said

Harper should have had the G20 meetings out in the Alberta tar sands to show the world leaders how he is destroying Canada, the fake lake is the opposite of what Harper is doing to Canada. Liberal majority!!!

MARG MM
said

Once again, the media puts out an incorrect figure,and the opposition and all the sheep, run with it. Even when it is corrected, they stick with the original, thinking it will further their cause. This has nothing to do with money, but is all about bashing PM Harper and the Conservatives, no matter what they do. Never mind that these summits will put a load of money into the economy, and since we don't hear the Premier of Ontario, or the mayor of Toronto saying anything against it, they must also think it will benefit them. It does seem like a huge amount of money, but Kyle is right, at this point everyone is speculating, we know that the auditor general will go over the costs, as well as the budgetary officer. Once that is done, we will know if it was a waste of money, or something that turned out being good for Canada. But don't let me stop your"PM Harper bashing" as we all know that is the only thing that seems to make the day for some of you.

Ben in AB
said

I think that it's interesting that the government is suddenly concerned about appearances and how the world sees Canada, so they spend $50,000 on a lake, however when young Maddox Flynn needed $50,000 for his facial surgery, the government decides that our money isn't going to be thrown away on some cosmetic face surgery. How vain of Maddox's parents. The government forgets that the people are the face of this country, not some lake in Ontario.

Samual
said

No need for a fake lake give them a bus ticket & tell them to go check out a real lake. Harper has blow more tax dollars than any government in Canadian history. We need the fiscal liberals back in to clean up this mess. Were already paying 160 million per day in interest on the massive deficit Harper created. The opposition parties agreed to 16 billion in stimulus spending, Harper spent 60 billion & didn't stimulate the economy, so he threw this money away. Security started at 150,000. now over a billion. An other 2 million for a fake lake is another slap in the face to Canadians. It'll take years for the liberals to clean up the mess Harper has made of Canada.

Elder Gonzo
said

Cannon Rebel: $987Lawn chairs & tables: $1,249Catering Service for black-tie dinner: $8,568 FAKE LAKE to take pictures with all your global elitist buddies: $57,000 Defeating Stephen Harper in the next federal election and sending all his propagandists back to America : Priceless!

rick
said

The saddest part of the whole thing is all the people that believe whatever the media puts out. Most of which is biased and anything but the truth. The idea that the media reports the facts is so far from the truth it has to make a thinking person sick.

John @ Ontario
said

Spend it all I say !Our children will do better if they learn to fend for them selves instead of waiting for their next welfare check. No free money means work for the money.

alan smithee
said

Why don't we 'showcase' our country domestically and spend $1.02 billion on health care and affordable housing?
Oops..That'd be socialism and the Reform Party has no money for any program of compassion or justice--that'd be communism.
Nope..Just an endless well of my and your tax money to cater to the uber rich.
When is the next election?

Justice and Integrity
said

The Conservative government is paying $2 million to build a marketing pavilion that will be open only to the media and will be destroyed after three days.How will media broadcasts from a fake lake cause tourists to want to visit Canada?The news broadcasts coming out of a G8 or G20 do not include come visit our country sound bites.Have you ever made plans to visit a country hosting the G8 or G20 based on how well it was marketed during a G8 or G 20 Summit meeting?A waste of more millions of tax payers dollars by the Harper Conservatives. Enough already!

Wayne - Delta, BC
said

More distortion by the Fiberals. It was the entire marketing pavilion that cost $2M (Seems reasonable to me. A tradeshow booth for a large corporation can cost $1M, for a small company $50k).Think of how much time this bogus accusation chewed up, including PMO time.Don't we have more important things to discuss???!!!

Dennis L. Krahn
said

Kyle: What does 'wanting things' have to do with a fake lake in a country that is full of beautiful, natural lakes?

andrew
said

oohh only 60 grand? ok that's fine then. what a great purchase....

Marc - Toronto
said

Seems when we wait for the truth, its not so bad. Too bad we can not count on the Fiberals to tell us the truth. More politics from a desparate party. They keep throwing mud and lies and nothing seems to stick. Sound eeriely similar to how the Fiberals jumped on Guergis and then claimed no responsibility.More lies, and the media... I thought they were the seekers of the truth and not the mouth piece for political parties.

Peter
said

Can I have one of the canoes when they're done. I promise to use it to defend the North Saskatchewan River.

ziggy
said

....do you think they're going to stock the lake with fish?

Spin Spin Spin
said

Translation: $57,000 is the cost of the lake portion of the $1.9 million exibit that's part of a $1 billion G8/G20 conference that is going to accomplish nothing other than creating grief and havoc for Toronto.

Scott ONT
said

Everybody realizes that all the money spent here is going right back into the Canadian economy right? I find it hilarious to see Iggy complaining when he pushed for an absurd amount of stimulus money to be spent to begin with. Then was complaining when it wasn't being spent quickly enough. And then there's the complainers on here. Partisan politics is ruining this country and it starts with us. People shouldn't be allowed to vote without a fundamental knowledge of how things work because the average Canadian is too easily influenced by partisan media to make a rational choice.

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said

@ NS & Jim McB, if the PMO never said it costs $2,000,000, why was MP Lawrence Cannon defending it. Remember " it's the cost of doing business on the world stage ". Grow up and admit that the new reformed conservatives have absolutely no economic sense. In the middle of a recession Harper and only Harper chose to hold both G8/20 summits, after hosting the Olympics. How economically stable is that? After wiping a colective bead of sweat off thier brows, the rest of the world leaders are now laughing at the Canadian hillbillys.

david snable
said

Ryerson University has a pond at the corner of Victoria and Gould Sts. It has a high fence around it so security comes already installed. Why not rent that if the government wants a lake? It has 3 huge boulders in it - so it looks like northern Ontario. Add a couple of potted palms and who wouldn't know they are not in Muskoka?

KB in W'B ONT
said

It is a good thing CTV does not rely on government funding because Harper would cut them off just for having posters opposed to his opinion. Keep up the good work!

Steve in Manotick
said

To all you blind and brain washed Cons.. Wake up all the cons do is lie to you. Show the rest of Canada you have a brain and accept the cons are nothing more more than liars and bigots, who will do anything to stay in power.. How much of the billion dollar price tag is going to Con supporters and lining the coffers of the con partyBetty White for Prime Minister

True North Strong and Free
said

$57K to much. It would have been better spent on health care, education, or on low-ince familes.

Syl
said

The G8 and G20 put us on the stage of the world not unlike what the olympics did and I would wager there was more public money wasted on the olympics than on the the G's.

Jean-Luc
said

$ 57,000 instead of $1,9 million of for an artificial lake, that is a relief.... Got to give the Harpercrites credit to have the audacity to spinn the story. What worries me the most is that I almost can understand the Conservative logic behind this. Common sense would dictate that the Cons would use Lake Ontario, which is vertually a stones throw away from the CNE grounds. However this way, the control freeks in the PMO can not only control the photo op and they can control the weather as well. My only wish is that the Cons go and jump in the lake, but my bet is that the water is heated... Unfortuantely we will have to wait for the next election to give the Cons a cold shower and a reality check.

Havelock Heavy
said

It doesn't matter whether this dumb display cost $57,000 or $2 million, the fact is that it is a total waste of taxpayers' money - as is the whole $1 billion circus. Stop the foolishness Mr. Harper. We didn't vote you in to office to 'burn money'.

Peter Rapsey
said

Mr. Harper and Mr. Flaherty - Don't even hint that the Pension Plan is going bankrupt; don't even hint that healthcare or daycare or Poverty can not be afforded. We seem to have lots of money and I hold you to that. Get your idiotic priorities straight.

Elisa from GTA
said

Ultimately, the money is being absorbed by canadian companies, workers, law enforcement and infrastructure. Just think of all the jobs created by this event. The money is remaining within Canadian borders so it's not exactly a waste or a loss. Besides, would you rather see the foreign heads of state being transported on the back of an old pick-up truck and housed in a barn?

Paul
said

And if the Liberals where in power the cost would be different how......

Richard L. Provencher
said

Advertising is not free. Reporters should spend time on promoting the north country, ie Muskoka, etc not tear it down. We have a beautiful country. Let's brag a little.

Ben
said

This whole story has been nothing more than a media attempt to create controversy within the government. While I have always been skeptical of the government being totally honest, I am becoming more and more distrustful of the media also. All too often, a story has become a "story" within the media as they take an angle and run with it, failing to present certain facts which would damage their credibility in their storytelling. This story may be true, and it may be simply a misunderstanding, but I don't trust the media to give me what I need to make a decision anymore.

Wes Saskatoon Sk.
said

Let's have an election as soon as possible and we will finally be rid of Libs & NDP

CYL
said

SURE only 57,000......... for now.after it's finished they will add another '0' or '00' and find every excuse in the book to justify those '0s' and we have to pay for it. This project is called FAKE.

Ennoyed
said

So the 2 M budget was fake ? what was it based on? How can it sink from 2 M to 56K overnight?Our S H is acting like the other S H from Iraq or like a king (with no accountibility).

Manner
said

How many children will go hungry tonight in this country because we need a fake lake near all of the great lakes? I think Africa could use a fake lake or two-what gross appropriation of money. I cannot help to think that some future generation will find this a crime against humanity, when others starved we indulged the rich. Seems to be a reoccuring theme in human history. Shame on you Canada. I am ashamed.

scot
said

I cannot believe the naivety of people that would be so easily sucked into the PMO scam of leaking 2 million and then blaming the Liberals for overreacting. It is the oldest scam act in the world. "on sale for only $2,000....but the boss says I can let it go for only $1,500 because he really really really likes you?Espesce de twit.

pm
said

....but are the not closing all the shows downtown Toronto? Anyway ..LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!!!enough said.

Mark
said

You know what, 1 billion dollars to host the G8 and G20 is alot of money. The fact is it is Canada's turn and we are going ahead and stepping up. It is taxpayers money but it is finding its way back into our economy unless of course a majority of contractors hospitality and security firms are from another country.

Jay, Ottawa
said

Prof. Pye Chartt said "...Unlike the spinning tops and yap-traps in Opposition, I'm not dumb and foolish..." >> I've noticed that everything you post is riddled with name calling. Surely you're above that.

Jim McB
said

The PMO never said it cost $2,000,000, the left lib media did and then came the outrage from our pathetic opposition that didn't have the correct information becaue they get it all from the media.Just think of government by the Liberals, the NDP and the BLOC supported by the media. It would truly be a "mediaocracy."

Westernern
said

Ok - this amount of money could be spent towards other aspects - such as food for those who have lost jobs and have no UIC in the meantime. Food banks are being pushed to the limit and they need a FAKE LAKE FOR THE ELITE!!!!!! Give your heads a shake - no wonder we're in the shape we are in in every country financially.

NS
said

Liberals should be ashamed for this constant mudslinging...To report a $57 000 project as 2 million, is slander. Time to get a opposition that can come up with it's own ideas, that may improve the lives of Canadians..not just create spin thru misinformation...and the Liberal sheep followers run with every bone they are tossed... Shame on LPC

Ken
said

Why can't we host one of these events at a secure military facility? I'm sure we have bases that can accommodate the security needs at far less than $1 billion.

Why do we need to waste money on nice things to show off Canada at a conference that is really supposed to be about fiscal responsibility?

For that matter, Canada is in debt up to it's eyeballs just as much as these other nations. What makes Harper think we are better than them? Our illusion is better than their illusion I guess.

David Highsted
said

I don't care if they got it from the Home Depot Lawn and Garden Sale in this weekend's flyer at $57.50 with a complmentary garden gnome thrown in free - if they want to have a reflecting pool for the G8/G20 leaders to sit and cotemplate their navels beside, head down to the lake shore.

John
said

To all the Tories who clucked their tongues and admonished the "Billion Dollar Boondoggle" when they were in opposition.....it kind of stings when you get it back doesn't it.

Horacio
said

We should start a revolution and have a revolutionary goverment.

Vine
said

Ummmmm here's a thought. Why not build a permenant Media and International Business relations center instead? Maybe something worth the expense? (Do love the Lake Front media room idea though.)

Michael from Toronto
said

Canada is relatively unsophisticated and dowdy compared to other G20 countries. It has to do with our socialist insecurity which frowns on anyone who tries to excel at anything. This is one reason why Canadians have an identity crisis. Normally this problem does not emerge but our wishy-washy nature becomes apparent when we are compared against other nations. Sprucing up our reception to G20 members is meant to avoid negative first impressions of Canada.

Bob
said

I would not believe one word that comes out of the PMO. They could not tell the truth if their lives depended on it.

simon
said

If the Tax Payers had not complained, the cost would have remained at $2M or would have even grown! I must say there is something FISHY and FAKE here! One thing is for sure though, somebody is spending Tax Payers money like it don't belong to them! And it is very likely they have a Bogus Accountant to finally put the blame on. The conservatives always have somebody else to blame. The fact is: THERE IS INCOMPETENCY ALL AROUND THIS GOVERNMENT!

Steve in manotick
said

This Gov't just can't add. They are incompentent boobs who have almost bankrupted this country. They have to go. I don't care who replaces them but they have to go.. Let's draft Betty White for PM

Nick in Gatineau
said

Look into my eyes.You're feeling very very tired.You will only wake up when I snap my heels.Everyone in Canada will believe what I say because I am PM and will take over the world. It is NOT ACCEPTABLE f to spend lavishly while at the same time you tell every Canadian to tighen their belts and pay off their debt. Oh, yeah, you hiked the debt to how much exactly ? (Snap of heels) It only cost 57 K folks. Move on.

Paul Vancouver Island
said

We should put some of Albertan Tar Sands Oil on the beach by Harper's Fake Lake. We'll add in a few oil soaked dead sea gulls too. It would sum up the Conservative record in respect to the environment.

Bryn from BC
said

If these opposition parties have trouble breaking down the cost to the $57,000, instead of $2 Million, how in the world would they ever understand the intricacies of running the country? I say it's a good thing they're just "opposition". It would be scary to have them actually running things, and having to do the math themselves.

loving Canada
said

$57000.00 is exactly the same as 2 Million dollars, but different.

Ki-Som Victoria BC
said

One dollar spent on this total useless and stupid idea is one dollar too much. Stop wasting our bloody money and put it into job creation, not some stupid fake lake to impress foriegn media. Give me a bloody break!!!

Ken
said

Great way to blow our tax dollars ... now a revised cost list, any way your look at it, they are simply nuts! Give them all a taxi chit to Lake Ontario and it would be cheaper. It is going to be quite the shin dig for these people, all on Canada's tax dollars.I want my money back. Which Conservative supporter/supporters got this sweet deal?The Conservatives must think all Canadians are stupid. Call an election!!!

John in Calgary
said

I don't think there could be a BETTER symbol of the Harper-"Conservatives" than an artificial lake. Fakery & optics and Neo-Con-sustainability unite en mass!

Karen
said

Why did they build a Muskoka exhibit in Toronto when they are going to be in the Real Muskoka not 2 days before the G20. If its for the leaders that didn't make it up there, take a holiday and not on the taxpayers.

Doug On
said

Here we go again. The opposition and the nit-picking media have a problem with the backdrop for our hosting of the world's media. Ok, now on with our lives, and let's wait for tomorrow's big breaking news issue.

Rene
said

Well - That just makes me feel a whole lot better. .... Not!

Paul
said

This fake lake and the liberals have a lot in common. They're both shallow for starters.

stop handing out money-kevin
said

it's nice to see money(tax payer money)being spent here in canada rather then say the BILLIONS sent to every sob story around the world. i mean come on guys we hand out money like its candy to Afrcia/AGN/ and anyone eles with there hand out to the tunes of BILLIONS year in year out and see nothing get better. so really 500k on a fake lake is a drop in the bucket but at least we see it and can say something was done with the money good or bad.And hey someone got paid and got a job out of the deal right ?

Kyle
said

It's always fun to read the commentary section on these stories. Most people dont actually think and just use it to rant with regards to the PM, the Cons, the Libs, or whatever. To those calling Harper a liar, show me proof. Opposition says 2m (as per a news article), PMO says 650k (per another news article). There are no details with regards to the actual costs associated other than a number thrown out there with no backup. Until this is over, we will not know the true costs (or benefits) of these "investments". How can you complain now when there is no actual information available other than he-said/she-said used for political gain?

Too many people want everything now, government should be spending on this and that, but to what end? The money has to come from somewhere! Sure its easy to gripe about everything, but believe it or not, politicians have a hard job. We are a multicultural society with a large number of contradicting views and desires. It is IMPOSSIBLE to please everyone.

The fact that everyone wants more and more benefits, but do not have answers to increase federal/provincial income. If you are going to complain about the problems with the government, provide SOLUTIONS to said problems. And no... "more funding" is not a solution.

** sidenote to the guy talking about hotel windows - G8 is in Muskoka, the G20 is in Toronto (hence the whole muskoka experience)

DS
said

We are complaining about the high cost of security. Have we ever considered why it is so high? Is it not because we have among us anarchists, who would don face masks and go on rampage as their way of demonstration against the G8/G20 meetings? We would have no need to spend highly if our demonstrators were peaceful.

Debb
said

Canada... the land of lakes.... why in the world do we need to make lakes? Make love, not lakes!

viral venus
said

What I really hate is that these arrogant, posturing pinheads really think we are stupid enough to believe that the $2 million price tag was just a mistake. If this laughable lie was even remotely possible why did cabinet ministers first spend so much time and energy on defending the government's decision to spend 2 million? Why did they not just immediately change the figure? Clearly, 2 million is the price and when their frail defense of the vast waste of money was not working they just decided to lie and change the number. Frighteningly, there are some who will believe this ridiculous fabrication. The inpartial truth will never be known since the government's grip on real information is so tight that whatever redacted and cooked financial documents are finally released will make it impossible to determine exactly how much money was wasted.

Mikey
said

Say, I thought these were the guys who wanted to make government small enough to fit in a bathtub, the better to drown it! Apparently their ideology (and common sense) gets trumped by their overwhelming paranoia. Or maybe they just haven't learned to be competent managers of our hard earned money... That fake lake just might contain an iceberg large enough to sink the SS Harpo!

moron4peace
said

the only reason harper is able to maintain power at this point in time is because ignatieff is even less popular. how embarassing for both of them. they should both go jump in the lake...

Smith
said

No, no, no. You've got it all wrong! That's $57,000 for the WATER IN THE LAKE.

Dennis L. Krahn
said

Larry King: Very good comment, happy to see that I am not the only one hoping we don't look like idiots!

Jon in London ON
said

Reported at $2m actually $57K? Hmmmm, well that's better than the other way round like the Liberals do it. Remember the gun registry? HRDC scandal?Actually, I am pretty smug right now because it appears the only person Canada dislikes more than Stephen Harper is none other than.......wait for it........Michael Ignatieff!

Chris
said

My wife and I had an in-ground pool installed last year, and that cost was only slightly less than this "lake". Lesson learned for next time - order the small lake special!

Michael
said

Yesterday I said we need our noses rubbed in it; today I get my wish; perhaps I should apply for a position in the re-information ministry.

OZ
said

Is this Canada's new theme park."The Wonderful World of the PC Party"?

Don K
said

Oh please.... now it's $57,000 instead of $2 million? Are they now going to use a kiddie pool (because only the conservatives could find a $57,000 kiddie pool).

Daniel Ireland
said

Yaaaa ! If you believe that; I have a bridge for sale in the artic tundra for only $ 5 mil. Wow!! Just how long are Canadians going to put up with this garbage? This is really starting to get out of hand. How many more lies can we take from this rediculous government. When S.H. was elected; his whole platform was to be fiscally responsible. Look at him now! When these worthless meetings are over the PM better give a billion $ to all the much needed programs across Canada. Of course; pigs will fly out my bum before that happens. Next, S.H. will of course bail out big companies. I guess he must feel good these days. I sure hope that him and his cronies remember all this for the next election.

stu
said

I am with Phil ... I want my PC party back. I have reached such a level of disgust with this new conservative party that I am almost tempted to vote Liberal. Phil....how about a revolution? Maybe David Orchard would step forward, or we could reunite some of the former "Red Tories", like Jim Prentice, social conservative sCraig Chandler and Scott Brison,

Spence in Ontario
said

So the display and not the lake costs 2 million. Umm.... Doesn't that mean the display and lake are still a waste of money.

Mike from MTL
said

In related news, the security costs have increased by $1.943M. No one will notice though as those are already over $1B.

Bill in Ottawa
said

So it looks like Mark Holland, Jack Layton, and the rest of the Liberal-NDP-Block coalition need to get their facts straight before they yell "fowl"; but I guess we'll hear no apologies for their "fake" costing. Yes - $57,000 is a lot of money -but how much is spent on 30 second TV commercials or print advertisements to promote Canadian Tourism every year?

moron4peace
said

they are TEARING IT DOWN after the G20?! i hadn't realized this before reading this article. i was outraged when i thought it was permanent! how can the conservatives show their faces in public without blushing?! the only potential good that could come from this fiasco is a change in government as a result of the anger of the electorate. if that occurs, in the end, the price tag will have been well worth it.

CONNED AGAIN
said

Is $650,000 any better really? One of the advantages to having these summits so close to LAKE ONTARIO is that international reporters can take shots of the REAL LAKE, FOR FREE!... They could even use stock footage. What a joke... From the sounds of things, the Conservatives would be good to join the "coalition of the willing" with the Liberal$ and NDP. By the way, I can only thank Dalton so much for the vicious HST, Stevo, we're greatly indebted to you (literally) for helping seal the deal.

charlie
said

I am sure that this will be an item the Auditor General will examine, and the Government has indicated that they will co-operate fully in the post G8/G20 audits. When she does it will be determined whose numbers are correct. If it isn't the Government, then they will pay the price, especially after calling out the Opposition on the $2 million figure. If it isn't the Opposition, then I am certain they will move on to the next imaginary scandal du jour, as if being incorrect was immaterial. Get some facts before ranting on? Perish the thought!

Bonnie
said

Why not take our visitors to see the real lake? After all they will be in "cottage" country!Also, if these world leaders and their "people" are so scared to travel, then lets elect someone who isn't so full of themselves.They should be doing the right thing by the people who elect them, then they wouldn't have anything to worry about.On Tom Clarks program the other night, a spokesman from Washington said good for Canada but they really aren't on the "World Stage" when the big guys make a decision. Only in their little minds.

CraigW
said

What I don't get is that the government is trying to show the world leaders the wonderful scenery of the Muskokas, but isn't that why they are in the Muskokas to start with? Don't the hotel rooms have windows?

Mark in NB
said

I would think the $57K could be a bit more accurate. It would depend on the depth of the lake. If the thing is only 2 inches deep and has lighting that fools people into thinking it is deeper it could be $57K. Still though....

Dennis L. Krahn
said

I sincerely hope that the rest of the world does not judge us by the s--t show that these chuckle heads are putting on. We the electorate, really must do something about the Howdy Dudey Show going on with our tax money in Ottawa.

Andrew
said

Its always depressing to read comments posted on sites like this. They're always so short sighted. $57,000 is easily enough to build a small lake. I'm actually quite suprised that it cost that much. And when it comes right down to it, 1billion to host dozens of high profile representatives from other countries is a drop in the bucket as well.Problem is that you all think in such small ways. sure when you have a $40,000 income a billion dollars sounds like alot, but Canada's income is in the TRILLIONS.We are an incredibly powerful country and we should start acting like it. If it would keep us from being the one country to get some foreign president killed I'd say spend 2 billion. The return on investment this G8/G20 will bring in foreign investment will be in the hundreds of billions over the years. Its like painting the walls in your house before you sell it, it betters your chances of a positive return.But like one poster said, people aren't happy unless they're complaining. Never mind that they have free healthcare, free education, nice roads, utter safety, good food, human rights etc etc provided by whatever government is in power

Larry King
said

Whatever the cost to show the world that we're idiots who build temporary indoor lakes is worth it right? Sure is easy to spend other people's money. . .

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Oh, okay...that makes me feel better. Now I'm okay with the overall $1.1 B price tag for the summit. (You can still "explain" the entire expenditure, but you can't "justify" it on any sane grounds. What a vile and piggish waste of money. Unlike the spinning tops and yap-traps in Opposition, I'm not dumb and foolish enough to believe that a Liberal or NDP government would be doing the whole affair on the cheap, with paper plates, plastic cups, budget-hotel conference rooms, and mall cops. This is entirely symptomatic and emblematic of the complete and utter disregard politicians, of all stripes, have for the hard-earned money we graciously (but often reluctantly) ship to them. They just roll in it, light it afire, and then dance and sing around the flames like a bunch of drunken aristocrats. I hope that this uproar doesn't die down, and PM Harper and his Conservative government continue to get a serious public and media spanking. In turn, I also hope that certain meandering and politically uncommitted Canadians don't get suckered into believing that partisan alignment with those "acting" most outraged will automatically solve the problem, as this country, provincially and federally, has a glorious track record of poking itself in the eye with a stupid-stick at election time.)

Islander
said

Fake Lake costs 2 Million. The PMO can't just change numbers whenever they want. Also, I read in the NP that those canoes were lent from the cottage country folks, so don't tell me you bought them PMO.

radha
said

Its cheaper so lets take it Canadians. Its not 2 million but ONLY 57,000 dollars.

Portes
said

Where have all the reporters who check and double check their stories. They are in such a hurry to get it printed that they don't bother to check. I guess this will put some egg on the faces of the opposition parties and especially the reporters. I have read so many stories that need to be revised later that anything that comes out now in the press,whether printed or on the TV, I don't believe any of it anymore and wait a few days. They will change the story again and again.The days of correct reporting are gone and replaced by a press that only prints stories for their sensational qualities

Glenn C
said

I agree with Jim in ottawa more than the average Joe makes in a year, and for what? You should be working out world and economic problems, not gazing into a lake!!! I still say that a video conference would have saved a ton of time, trouble and money! In the end how much better off will we be???? This is a sad sad waste!

Mario in Mtl
said

The Conservatives couldn't buy a toilet seat for $57k.They could use less than that and just bus the journalists up the the actual area! What a novel idea that would be!But what the heck, why spend a little when you can spend excessively...it's only MY money!!!!

Danny Dinosaur
said

I have not had much experience with building indoor lakes with canoes and lounging chairs, but $57,000 does seem more than a little bit light in terms of costs. Actually, not just a little bit low. It seems like an outright lie. Assuming the best and hoping our Government would not blatantly lie to us, a $57,000 indoor lake is not going to inspire much awe power. They could have rented the pool at the Sheraton and thrown some canoes in the water to inspire more awe power. Or even crazier than that, they could put the reporters up near a real lake? There must be some nice lake views somewhere and this group does not need much security? This is blatant and total mismanagement of tax dollars, blended in with pure stupidity and lies. I can't wait to hear how the Professor will spin this one.

pdm39
said

Thank god they don't balance my bank records! The display cost $500,000 NOT $57,000. They wouldn't buy canoes and deck chairs without the lake so come one people while the water container may cost $57,000 it really cost $500,000. How does it go down 75% overnight? And, all of this for 200 media folks - I bet most people don't know they have severely limited media to 200 people. What some country should do is have the courage to host one of these where the leaders live in and eat what "regular" people live in and eat. Let them them experience first-hand poverty, malnutitrition, health care - maybe their agenda wouldn't be so high and mighty then.

Don
said

An obvious lie, or yet another cover up. Tick tock, tick tock, this government is not too far from heading back to where it came from. Just a matter of time before the intelligent people in this country get out to vote and give these CONS a wake up call. Can't wait to see the CONS post on this article. These summits could easily be done via video conferencing but its all about the photo ops. 20 minutes of patting each other on the back and an hour of camera flashing. Such a great investment! Who cares about the economy, childcare, healthcare, corruptive governing, as long as they look good on the front pages!

Jim in Ottawa
said

$57,000 is still more than the average Canadian annual salary for a temporary prop that seems entirely unnecessary. We need restraint!

Phil
said

There are three national parties in Canada: the Conservatives who are masters of doing precisely the opposite of everything that they promise, the Liberals who promise everything and do nothing, and the NDP who promise something different every day of the week because they know they'll never have the power or expertise to deliver on any of it. Can we please have the PC's back now?

D.K. Lindsay
said

As usual some of us would complain if the government spent a dime on a piece of gum. I agree that 1 Billion is a lot of money. But if the Liberals were in charge it would be the same cost and the other side of the coin would complain. Those who are oppose to the G-8 and G-20 would complain if it were free. A commission will be demanded by the opposition and another 20 million will be spent on showing us where we could have saved some money... 20-20 hindsight has no value and solves nothing except it will provide a job for a friend of the Liberal Party or NDP Party.

Ian
said

Yeah right. There isn't anything the government can do for $57,000. Once the deck chairs are all shuffled, the cost will be astronomical and the excuse will be that a number of items weren't covered in the initial estimate or worse yet, they were under a different budget. Perhaps some of the elected officials should go for a swim in the lake.

Jack R
said

Wasn't there one of Saddams official in charge of "nothing to see here, move along, nothing to see here"?

Jay
said

Yeah. From 2 million down to $57,000. Maybe if we complain about the cost of security, it will go from 1 billion to around $500,000. This sounds like just a political lie to quell the populace from total outrage. I'm sure though we'll find out the true cost eventually, long after the event is done, and it will be back up to the 2 million dollar cost.

Jerry
said

$57K... according to the latest MEP officially endorsed and approved by the PMO.

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