Harper defends his f*cked up fake lake

The PR bullshit spin continues on the fake lake..

The installation is in three parts, symbolizing the two summits: the G8 in Muskoka and the G20 in Toronto. A “Northern Ontario oasis,” including the fake lake with docks, a canoe sculpture and Muskoka chairs; a stylized “bridge” in the middle; and at the other end, a “cityscape” of boxy urban towers suspended in the air.

Taking a political beating for spending millions on a fake lake, the Prime Minister’s Office organized a press briefing to insist it was more, and worth every penny. The project, PMO officials said, will send 3,000 journalists home with a better impression of Canada.

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Materials for each section

Northern Ontario Oasis. Faux cottage country, with the mini-lake, a canoe sculpture, Muskoka chairs, and docks. (Canoes donated by cottagers, shipping paid by taxpayers.) Cost of materials: $208,187

Cityscape. An area where models of office towers hang above visitors’ heads. Cost of materials: $292,000.

Bridge. A stylized bridge area joins the fake Muskoka (the G8 site) with fake Toronto (the G20 site). Cost of materials: $218,000.

Labour, including installation and post-summit dismantling Cost: $398,000.

Design

Lord Cultural Resources, a Toronto firm, consulted local groups, designed the project and managed subcontracts. Cost: $407,000.

Audio-visual production Cost: $147,000

Plus

Graphics, uniforms, and miscellaneous expenses. Cost: about $200,000

Total cost: $1.9-million

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