2007: High-security fences surround resort town in preparation for summit

High-security fences surround resort town in preparation for summit.

Montebello has never seen anything like this before
Elizabeth Thompson, Montreal Gazette; CanWest News Service
Published: Saturday, August 18 2007

MONTEBELLO, Que. – Sitting in the boarded-up Bar Central, nursing a quart of Labatt Blue, Gaetan says he’s never seen anything like it.

For years he worked as a waiter at the Chateau Montebello, through meetings of some of the most powerful leaders in the world. But never has he seen the kind of security and disruption to the town’s tranquil existence that he’s seen over the past few days.

“I worked at the Chateau for 33 years,” said Gaetan, who declined to give his family name. “I served at the economic summit in 1981, I served at the Bilderberg meeting in 1983 and I served at NATO in 1983. Up until now there has never been damage but then, (President George W.) Bush wasn’t there at the time.” Today, Montebello’s Bar Central will be closed for the first time in its 50-year history as the picturesque town hugging the shore of the Ottawa River braces for the arrival Monday of Bush, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon to discuss plans for a North American Security and Prosperity Partnership. Thousands of protesters are also expected.