Perhaps of more interest is the WTO's role in intellectual property. The WTO administers the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). For those artists who like to make an honest penny from their work -- without having it ripped off by Napster or some CD burning bootlegger -- the WTO is creating mechanisms to do it.
Others might argue that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and its Copyright Treaty and Performance Treaty will help too, but not enough nations have ratified them to do any good yet. Meanwhile we are left with the Berne Convention and other ancient treaties that don't reflect the realities of the digital era. Artists will suffer.
Protest if you must, but know that world trade impacts artists and their ability to earn. The WTO has some good in it somewhere ...
Are the "cops" provincial or national police ...? Might explain their training. Also could be a cause of concern for a "Free" Quebec if their own law enforcement can't control themselves ... The British had a little problem with tear gas in 1969 N. Ireland and that made enemies of the Catholics they were sent to protect ... I see a parallel here ...
Cheers,
Brian