General

Nearly 60 per cent of G20-related charges withdrawn

Largest mass arrest in Canadian history leads to few prosecutions

Of the more than 1,100 people arrested during last year’s G20 summit in Toronto, just 317 were ever charged with any summit-related offences. Charges were eventually withdrawn against 187 of those, and only 24 have pleaded guilty. The rate at which police have dropped charges against G20 defendants is more than double the normal rate of about 30 per cent, according to University of Toronto law professor Kent Roach, raising questions about whether police were too heavy-handed during the summit. Toronto police deny they were reckless in laying charges against G20 protesters.

Toronto Star

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: