It's an exciting time to be a Calgarian as world leaders and a small group of delegates will land in Alberta for the G7 summit in Kananaskis in the next few days.
The annual group of the Seven (G7) summit brings together leaders of seven developed economies in the world: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the European Union.
Canada serves as the group's principles in 2025, so this year's gathering will be held in the Alberta Rockies in western Calgary from June 15 to 17.
For weeks, various stakeholders, including police and the military, have been preparing for high-security gatherings.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek and city general manager Doug Morgan on Wednesday raised some changes that Calgarians will see, focusing on increasing congestion in the downtown core and airports.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said her voters always showed patience and hospitality when big events came to town. With the future of the G7 summit, she hopes it won't be any different.
Devin Simmons/Global News
Gondek asked Calgary residents to wait patiently while sharing the excitement of the days ahead.
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“Remember that these interferences, while necessary, are temporary. They keep everyone safe.”
“Calgarians are known for their patience and hospitality. For the next few days, we just asked for both.”
During the top of the mountain, rolling blockages in the fleet may also affect Calgary commuters.
“From our Traffic Management Center, our team will monitor the road 24/7 using real-time data and camera feeds,” Morgan said.
“They can respond quickly to changing traffic conditions and keep moving.”
The summit also provides an opportunity for individuals and groups to hear their own voices in several designated protest areas in the city.
“We will meet on Sunday to send a loud and clear message to the world leaders at the G7 summit – water is not a commodity and should not be negotiated,” said activist Jesse Cardinal.
She is the executive director of Guardians of Water, a group that aims to expand the voices of Aboriginal Canadians, one of the country’s most valuable resources.
The group will hold part of several organized peace gatherings on June 15 in one of a protest district in the Calgary Municipal Complex.
“We are indigenous peoples and we are gathering on traditional indigenous territory,” the Cardinal explained.
“We respect areas that are blocked for security reasons.”
As many Calgarians have already enforced significantly a lot of law, some may doubt whether the Calgary Police Department can continue its normal work.
“Remember (police) is a partnership between the Calgary Police Department, the RCMP and the Alberta Sheriff,” Gondek said.
“The Calgary Police Department remains committed to serving Calgarians in order to meet their daily needs as usual.”
Professor Doug King, a professor of judicial studies at Royal University, has the confidence of mayor.
“For those who might think that ‘this is a good opportunity to do something evil,’ give it a try and see what happens.
“There may be more police officers to be visible.”
The King stressed that preparation time was a long time, and Calgary held large events all year round, which was indeed business for officials.
“It's a career for the Calgary Police Department,” King said.
“We shouldn’t expect any problems.”
As part of the presidential year, Canada held a G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec from March 12 to 14, and a meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Bovernors in Banff, Alberta from May 20 to 22.
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