Fake Lake Debut Causes Barely a Ripple

[Keepitsimple]

TORONTO - It might have created a splash felt across Canada, but many who got their first glimpse of the fake G20 lake Wednesday agreed it should have caused little more than a ripple.

Most viewing the water feature at the summit media centre in Toronto said the glorified splash pool was a lot smaller than expected and barely deserved the flood of media coverage it got.

"This is what we're talking about? I've spilled more water in a plumbing accident," said an incredulous Claude Doughty, mayor of Huntsville, Ont.

"I find it quite modest compared to what I'd imagined. It's totally appropriate."

Word a few weeks ago that the government was spending more than $2 million to create a fake cottage-country lake caused huge waves.

Critics latched onto the cost to denounce the government's priorities as all wet, especially in light of the $1-billion tab for summit security.

That the cost was closer to $57,000 — along with government protestations that it was only showcasing a piece of Canada — did little to pour cold water on the controversy.

That changed Wednesday, as the summit media centre opened and reporters from around the world trickled in.

The much discussed "lake" turned out to be little more than a shallow wading pool — about 10 metres across at its widest — surrounded by a cedar deck.

On a huge screen behind it, moving images of Ontario's Muskoka region played, while bird, loon and other sounds playing through loud speakers added to the faux ambience.

Reporters rushing to see what the fuss had been about seemed bemused there had been much ado at all.

Mico Maounis, with the Associated Press in New York, called the set up "fantastic."

"It's the perfect space for journalists to relax," said Maoumas as he lounged on a Muskoka chair next to the pool with its finger-deep water.

"It's really cool. I've never seen anything like it."

Katia Kharina, working for the Belarus tut.by Internet portal said she liked it, and didn't think it cost that much money.

One Canadian TV channel promptly produced a show from the deck, creating exactly the kind of backdrop the government was hoping for, while others gingerly dipped their toes in the refreshing water.

Link: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100623/national/g8_g20_fake_lake

[Moonlight Graham]

Link: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100623/national/g8_g20_fake_lake

It cost $57,000, not 2 million? Well thats good...but that still seems like a good chunk of dough for a wading pool and a display with some chairs.

[kimmy]

The "fake lake" was never the problem. It was a sound-bite, something tangible that people could point at as a symbol of the out-of-touch excess of this event.

The real issue is and always has been the extraordinary and unbelievable amount of money being spent on security for the event.

-k

[dre]

The "fake lake" was never the problem. It was a sound-bite, something tangible that people could point at as a symbol of the out-of-touch excess of this event.

The real issue is and always has been the extraordinary and unbelievable amount of money being spent on security for the event.

-k

The real issue is that at a time when the G20 should be pushing fiscal restraint and debt reduction to their members they are throwing themselves a gigantic lavish party at our expense. 90% of the business done at that thing could be done over the phone or in a video conference. Sets a pretty bad example IMO.

I just hope they never organize a G50! That would probably outstrip our GDP.

[dre]

Fucking outrageous to be honest.

I just did some quick math in my head, and every single Canadian is gonna have to pay about 350 bux for this joke. Im gonna be ponying up probably about $1400 based on the share of the federal budget that I personally fund.

[Bonam]

I just hope they never organize a G50!

We already have the G192, the UN. Naturally, it sucks up more money and accomplishes less.

[Bonam]

I just did some quick math in my head, and every single Canadian is gonna have to pay about 350 bux for this joke. Im gonna be ponying up probably about $1400 based on the share of the federal budget that I personally fund.

Try that math on a calculator, it's closer to $30 a piece not $350.

[dre]

We already have the G192, the UN. Naturally, it sucks up more money and accomplishes less.

I wouldnt say it accomplishes less myself. But I would say it has the same problem.

The people in these multi-national organizations think theyre kings. Its completely routine for them to spend 100 times what they need to.

[g_bambino]

The people in these multi-national organizations think theyre kings.

Be specific; which kings? Even our queen costs us only $1.53 apiece per year.

[Open Government]

Of course it caused barely a ripple. It's indoors and both black fly and mosquito free like all well behaved Canadian lakes.

http://viableopposition.blogspot.com/

[Borg]

Free beer to journalists at the side of the mosquito free lake according to an article I read somewhere.

Why would they write anything bad about a place where they can eat and drink for free?

In truth most people in Canada probably do not make as much as this puddle of warm piss cost the taxpayer.

That alone should raise a persons hackles - but of course it will not.

Tax me - I am a canucklehead.

Borg

Edited June 24, 2010 by Borg

[Yesterday]

Be specific; which kings? Even our queen costs us only $1.53 apiece per year.

Not if Cameron gets his way...

[Born Free]

Try that math on a calculator, it's closer to $30 a piece not $350.

Frankly, had the real price been $1 it still would be an idiotic expenditure. This whole downtown Toronto G20 boondogle was utterly thoughtless if not stupid. Harper should have his balls handed to him for this travesty.

If only he would prorogue Parliament again and call an election....sigh...

[Smallc]

I'm glad that most Canadians agree that the summits were a good idea, anyway.

[felixkrull22]

we'll be at the G20 with our E=MC2 formula...

[Born Free]

I'm glad that most Canadians agree that the summits were a good idea, anyway.

I'm glad yer glad. The gatherings just shouldnt cost a billion+ of taxpayer money and lost productivity.

Hold it at the UN or have the G20 folks all chip in and build a fortress and hold it there every year. Hell! They can even include a real lake with real fish and mosquitos if they see fit.

[Argus]

Frankly, had the real price been $1 it still would be an idiotic expenditure. This whole downtown Toronto G20 boondogle was utterly thoughtless if not stupid. Harper should have his balls handed to him for this travesty.

If only he would prorogue Parliament again and call an election....sigh...

Cause this would never happen under the Liberals and NDP right?

[August1991]

Cause this would never happen under the Liberals and NDP right?

But it did happen under the Tories.

Argus, if we fought our wars as hypotheticals, we would never win nor lose - since each side would always be right.

Graph of recent polls

The Tories are down to 31% and I would say that that is losing. They have all the advantages of government against a weak opposition. This summit could have been a winner for Harper.

[Born Free]

Cause this would never happen under the Liberals and NDP right?

We will never know.

However, this isnt about Liberals or NDP or Conservatives. Its about utter stupidity and wreckless spending during a financial crisis. Should I assume that you think that a billion+ spending of our tax dollars was a good thing?

Edited June 27, 2010 by Born Free

[madmax]

Link: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100623/national/g8_g20_fake_lake

Once again, more money wasted!