Toronto considering airport-style security measures at City Hall
Toronto politicians are considering major changes to security screening at city hall, but several councillors say the proposed measures would make the public building less accessible to constituents.
City staff have tabled a report calling for a raft of security measures, including airport-style metal detectors, X-ray machines, hand-held security wands, a glass partition separating the public from the city council chamber, and physical barriers to prevent vehicles from driving onto pedestrian areas outside.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said violent attacks around the world make it necessary to re-examine city hall’s security measures. But he would not support or oppose any of the recommendations until the city hears from members of the public who visit and work at city hall.
“Nobody is pushing any panic buttons in these reports … but they say the obvious,” Tory said. “When you have the iconic city hall… and you have all the people who visit here and who work here every day, it is one building that you can’t afford to say, ‘well, it’ll be fine.’”