As G7 kicks off today in Kananaskis, here's how it's expected to impact the Calgary region

Yahoo

8 hours ago

After months of preparation, the G7 summit kicks off today in Kananaskis, Alta., a three-day summit that will see the popular wilderness destination locked down and the surrounding region play host to global leaders, media, and support teams from around the world.
A heightened police and military presence is now in place, with security officials calling the undertaking the "largest domestic security operation" a country can take on.
World leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union, will attend the summit.
Others have also been invited, including Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Here's what you need to know about road closures, airport delays, protests and more as the G7 gets underway.
The summit itself is running June 15 to 17 in the remote mountain setting of Kananaskis Village. A controlled access zone has been in effect since June 10, and will remain until June 18.
In the Calgary region, expect a heightened police and military presence. Security for the summit is being headed up by an integrated group which includes the RCMP, the Calgary Police Service, Alberta sheriffs, Alberta conservation officers and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Those in the Calgary region can expect to see more uniforms, more military vehicles, and more aircraft in the area than usual. There will be a "no drone zone" in Calgary and Kananaskis, and the RCMP has said that unauthorized drones or aircraft will be met by RCMP or Canadian Forces aircraft and could be shot down as a last resort.
The establishment of the controlled access zone is also affecting multiple trails, trailheads, and day use areas, with some locations closing entirely and others remaining accessible only up to the zone's boundary.
Locations such as Three Sisters Parkway, Mount Lougheed Viewpoint, Barrier Lake and Stoney Trail are open to that boundary, but areas including Rummel Pass Trail, Sparrowhawk Trail and the High Rockies Trail are fully closed.
In anticipation of demonstrations, the RCMP and Calgary Police have established "designated demonstration zones," including in downtown Calgary.
Another zone will be set up near the Calgary International Airport, at the Edward H. LaBorde Viewing Area.
There will also be a designated protest zone in Banff, at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre.
RCMP have said that these zones are intended to ensure minimal disruption to critical infrastructure, ensure safety of demonstrators, the public and law enforcement, while providing visible and accessible locations for peaceful assembly. Some protest groups have pushed back against the idea of "designated demonstration zones."
Security officials have said people have the right to assemble outside demonstration zones, but police are encouraging people to gather in those zones for safety reasons.
The Calgary Airport Authority has said it's ready to process an average of 67,000 travellers per day through the summer, thanks in part to the G7, Rotary International Convention, and the Calgary Stampede.
During the summit, no stopping or parking is allowed around the airport perimeter from June 14 to 18. The airport tunnel will be closed from June 15 to 18.
Unattended vehicles at curbside will face immediate enforcement, and drone use anywhere near the airport will see violators facing steep penalties.
Some temporary closures or stoppages may also be in effect as delegates are moved out of or into the airport through rolling motorcades, the airport authority said.
Those with a flight during the G7 are encouraged to give themselves at least 30 minutes more time than usual to arrive at the airport.
During the summit, officials are encouraging residents to consider leaving the car at home in order to help reduce congestion, instead using public transit, cycling or carpooling.
Alternative routes may be activated during the period of the summit to help manage traffic flow, the city says.
There are likely to be minor traffic delays, especially when heading west toward the mountains.
There will also likely be increased motorcade activity and rolling road closures, the city says, especially around the airport and in the downtown core.