Does the CFL need a defensive game plan for the Grey Cup?

The Winnipeg Sun has done a little investigating in the last few days and found that there may be some questions that need to be asked about security precautions for Grey Cup Sunday.

Paul Friesen wondered aloud what kind of security force might be required for Winnipeg in this decidedly new and more cautious era for major sporting events. The Grey Cup is the single largest one day sporting event in Canada and in a world that has gone slightly mad of late, might make for a target for those that wish us ill.

While it's highly doubtful that Winnipeg would be number one on a terroirsts list of targets, its still a relevant question in this day and age, one that an anxious public might want to be reassured over. As the Boy Scouts might say Be Prepared.

His findings tend to suggest a more low key approach, with little to no federal involvement in matters of security, leaving it mostly a City of Winnipeg concern. You can check out the article below and decide if you share his concerns, or feel he may be looking for something that most likely isn't there.


The safety danceCops, club defend turf
By PAUL FRIESEN
Winnipeg Sun
October 21, 2006

It began innocently enough: a reporter watching the Canadian body bags continue to pile up in Afghanistan, and wondering.

Wondering about Canada's increased role in the war on terror.

Wondering how terrorists view our country today, compared to a few years ago. Judging by the roadside bombs and suicide attacks, they don't like us much.

And wondering how all of this affects the single biggest Canadian sports spectacle of the year, the Grey Cup.

AFFECTING SECURITY

Has the threat of a terrorist attack increased? If so, how does that affect security plans for the game, to be played right here, Nov. 19?

Of course, I didn't have the answers to these questions. So I went to an expert, George MacLean, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Manitoba.

MacLean is a respected voice in the field, not a guy to fear-monger or blow things out of proportion.

The threat has definitely increased in the last 12 months, MacLean said, suggesting security for an event like the '06 Grey Cup should be stepped up considerably from previous years.

That means involving the military, intelligence agencies like CSIS, the RCMP and the federal and provincial governments.

Having one agency, the Winnipeg Police Service, running the show without those partners would be cause for concern, MacLean said.

Nothing against our own cops. They've done a fine job providing security for past events.

This Grey Cup, though, is a different animal.

Probably all Grey Cups from now on, too.

Not that a terrorist attack is imminent. Odds are still high against it. Canada's a B-list target, MacLean pointed out.

But we should prepare for the worst.

The Sun learned we might not be preparing for the worst.

Grey Cup organizers from the CFL and the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers said national security agencies were not involved.

The RCMP, the military and CSIS all confirmed they were not part of the security plan.

So MacLean's concerns went public, in Friday's Sun, and a torrent of backlash ensued.

The story's misleading, police said.

The reporter didn't do his homework, screamed the Bombers. Everything's under control, huffed the CFL.

And who's this so-called expert, anyway?

Funny thing is, nobody is saying the story is wrong.

The police defended their record of providing security for large events, even though that record doesn't need defending.

In the next breath, they said they couldn't divulge who they're working with.

Since when does naming the military, the RCMP or CSIS compromise security?

If this was all hush-hush, wouldn't those agencies have said, "Sorry, we can't talk to you?"

Instead, they said, "We're not involved."

It seems the CFL, the Bombers and even Winnipeg police are more concerned with defending their own turf than addressing MacLean's concerns.

They can shoot at the messenger all they want.

As MacLean said yesterday, at least they're talking about the issue.

Which was the whole point from the start.