Alberta prepares for “pressure” and “opportunities” to host the G7 summit

Eliminate international trade barriers, invest in clean energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence, strengthening protection of cybercrime and better responding to emerging global health threats – these are one of the business leaders of the seven (G7) country groups, who were ready for leaders in Kananaskis in western Calgary in June.

Business leaders will be held in Ottawa this week, with Federal Treasury Secretary François Philip Champagne and Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem will chair their G7 peers in Banff to prepare for the leaders' summit next week.

However, the main events – a summit of G7 leaders from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom will be held in Kananaskis from June 15-17.

Security is the responsibility of the Integrated Safety and Security Team (ISSG) led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), donated by the Calgary Police Department, Alberta Sheriff’s Branch, Alberta Forestry and Parks, and the Canadian Armed Forces.

For the ISSG, working to protect 70 official guests and 2,000 delegates around Kananaskis is a difficult task, especially for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been the subject of an assassination attempt and is expected to attend.

Kananaskis also held the G7 summit in 2002.

“One of the reasons Kananaskis is so popular is that you have the ability to physically isolate decision makers and their entourage in a rather safe area,” said Rob Huebert, director of the Center for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary.

During the summit, large areas around Kananaskis village will be closed with the public for more than a week. Air and ground traffic will be closed and restricted, and dozens of trails in the area will be closed.

Complete details about the affected area are available online.

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Currently, demonstrators will be limited to several designated demonstration areas (DDZs) in the city of Calgary about an hour east of Kanaskis, including:

• Municipal Plaza at 800 McLeod Trail,
• Enoch/East Victoria Park is located at 1102 Macleod Trail SE and
• YYC – Edward H Laborde Observation Area is located on 15 Street and McKnight Boulevard NE

“These areas are designed to provide a safe and accessible space for individuals and groups to ensure the safety of summit events and balance the rights of local residents, visitors and businesses,” Calgary police said in a statement.

Police said the public can expect to see a large number of officials, “any illegal or endangering public safety will be resolved under the law.”

Currently, there is no official demonstration area in nearby Banff, which is the most populous in the mountainous area of ​​Alberta, and is well-known residents – residents expect to find this next week.

Banff residents and local conservationist Marie Eve Marchand mixes up the perceptions of the large number of people expected to be in the region, calling it “a lot of stress” and “slight inconvenience,” but admits that “sometimes we also have to assume our global responsibilities in the world and hold conversations that need to happen.”

Banff Center Chairman Chris Lowray will host about 500 media members around the world to show that this is a huge opportunity.

“Discussing big issues – while leaders won’t be on the scene – to build this connection with the world’s greatest leaders here for these very important discussions – it’s just a wonderful gathering and has helped drive all the work they’ve done in Kananaskis.”

– Documents from Canadian Press.

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