The Rimrock has one last splash before closing for renos
Article content
It's closing – temporarily – on a high note.
Article content
Article content
The Rimrock Banff just hosted the world's top money minds at the prestigious G7 finance ministers meeting. Now it opens the vault for what's being termed a 'historic transformation.' No details of what that comprises are being released. Just that the hotel overlooking the valley on Sulphur Mountain will close in early October and reopen in spring.
Article content
Article content
Until it closes, though, guests or visitors can savour a series of farewell experiences, including The Grande Finale Tasting Menu in its signature restaurant, which includes guest favourites and chef masterpieces from Eden's 30-year history. The six-course meal with wine pairing includes such delicacies as king crab in lobster bisque, sablefish with smoked olives, Alberta tenderloin with huckleberries and port wine jus, and Hokkaido cheese tart with hickory and smoked maple.
Article content
Article content
The Rimrock's history dates back to 1888 when a hot spring was discovered nearby, leading to the creation of Banff National Park. An astute businessman opened a small, six-room hotel on the property where the Rimrock stands today. Over the years, there have been various incarnations, with a 60-room Rimrock Hotel built in 1959. That was sold in 1988, additions were added, and the Rimrock Resort Hotel opened in 1993 with more than 300 rooms and suites. It was acquired in 2023 by Oxford Properties and Accor Group, which also owns Fairmont.
Article content
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
What you need to know about the G7 summit in Alberta
Social Sharing The news is about to be flooded with the latest from the Group of Seven (G7) as some of the world's most powerful leaders travel to the Canadian Rockies next week for high-level meetings on some of the most pressing global issues. Here's a primer on the G7. What is the G7 again? The G7 is made up of some of the world's key democracies, who meet every year to act as a co-ordinated voice on major issues, including trade and economics, security and climate change. What is now the G7 dates back 50 years and is currently made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, who rotate hosting duties. The European Union is also a member. It used to be the G8 when Russia was at the table. But the country was expelled in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea. Historically, the elite group's mission has been to guide the world's economy and rally around shared values, like protecting human rights and the rule of law. But its relevance and effectiveness has been questioned in recent years amid increasingly protectionist trade views at the table, and the rise of India and China's economic power. When and where is it? Leaders will start arriving in Kanansaskis, Alta., nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies on Sunday with meetings planned for Monday and Tuesday. There's often closing news conferences on the final day. Kanansaskis is not new to this kind of hubbub; it was the site of the 2002 G8 summit. Canada has hosted the summit seven times, the last one being Charlevoix, Que., in 2018. Who's going? Following a bout of elections since last summer's meeting, many of the G7 leaders are new to the big table. That includes host Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. U.S. President Donald Trump makes his closely watched return. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has a few G7 gatherings under her belt and hosted the summit last year. At this point France's Emmanuel Macron, first elected in 2017, could be considered the dean of the G7. The European Union will be represented by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and António Costa, president of the European Council. It's also tradition to invite other global leaders. This year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (this year's G20 chair), South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and World Bank President Ajay Banga are attending, according to the Prime Minister's Office. Government sources said Canada has also invited Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but the Prime Minister's Office confirmed Wednesday he is not attending. How can Trump, a convicted felon, get into Canada? Just over a year ago, Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts in a criminal "hush money" trial involving adult actress Stormy Daniels, spurring questions if the now re-elected U.S. president would be granted access to the summit. While Canada is among dozens of countries who refuse entry to felons, Ottawa laid out in an order-in-council that representatives of foreign states are granted certain privileges and immunities while in Canada for the G7. The short of it: there are international agreements protecting foreign leaders, their officials and diplomatic envoys. In this case that includes exemptions from immigration restrictions to "facilitate travel to Canada to the extent required for attendance at the G7 meetings." "This does not replace the need for a visa, where one is required, but it can facilitate admission to Canada of an individual who may otherwise be inadmissible," the order reads. A spokesperson from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada declined to comment on Trump's upcoming trip for "privacy" reasons, only adding that "inadmissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis." What's on the agenda? Carney said Canada is looking for action on three core missions. The first theme is "protecting our communities and the world," which calls for leaders to promote peace and security, counter foreign interference and transnational crime, address global pressures driving migration and improve the global responses to wildfires. The second is "building energy security and accelerating the digital transition," including collaboration around fortifying critical mineral supply chains and using artificial intelligence and quantum technology to boost economic growth. Finally, Carney said he will push to secure "partnerships of the future," like attracting private investment to build infrastructure and create higher-paying jobs. Canadian sources have said they are hoping for some sort of Canada-U.S. trade deal by the time Trump and Carney meet at the summit. Support for Ukraine will also be on the agenda as Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion drags on at immense human cost. Ukrainian officials have said they are preparing for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump as the Ukrainian president continues to press for a ceasefire deal. The Israel-Gaza conflict will also undoubtedly be discussed. Earlier this week, Canada joined allies including the U.K. in sanctioning two far-right Israeli ministers for "their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities." Canada and its G7 partners France and the U.K. have been increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to end the blockade of aid into Gaza, where international experts warn of famine. In response to the sanctions, Israel's government said it will meet next week to decide how to respond to the "unacceptable decision." Can I travel to Kananaskis to see the leaders? Hard no. The G7 summit is being described as the " largest domestic security operation" a country can take on, and the site will be locked down and packed with police. These types of gatherings are already tightly controlled but last year's assassination attempts on Trump further adds to the security posture. The RCMP has prepared for this sort of high-stakes operation before but said technological threats have advanced since 2018, including the "weaponization of drones" and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. WATCH | RCMP highlight security measures: RCMP highlight security measures for upcoming G7 summit 9 days ago Duration 11:35 Calgary RCMP provide an update on the security measures needed for the 51st G7 summit from June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alta. Officials say strict security measures are in place, including a restricted airspace and designated demonstration zones. Canada hosts the summit every seven years. Even journalists, who will be stationed in Banff and Calgary, will have limited access to the summit site. There are also natural threats that security forces have to deal with: wildlife and wildfires. With Kananaskis located in the Bow Valley's forests, officials say they're monitoring for any possible wildfire outbreaks and keeping tabs on bears and cougars. What if I want to protest? Organizers are expecting large protests. Those crowds will be sent to designated G7 demonstration zones: one in Banff and three in Calgary. In a 2025 twist, the protests will be livestreamed to the restricted area where the leaders are gathered. "People who want to express themselves, as is their right, can't get close to the leaders," said RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall during a recent media briefing. "So by establishing that video link, we are helping facilitate that Charter access." Will anything actually be achieved? That remains to be seen. The G7 leaders work toward reaching consensus on issues or agreeing to certain commitments, but relations between certain leaders have become fractured in recent years. The last time Canada hosted the G7, it fell into name-calling and disarray. Tump refused to endorse the communique and called then prime minister and the summit's host Justin Trudeau "very dishonest and weak." In the fallout, Trump adviser Peter Navarro, who still remains close to the president, went on Fox News to say there was a "special place in hell" for Trudeau. With the G7 marking its 50th anniversary amid economic uncertainty and deadly conflicts, there's more pressure than ever for the seven leaders to find common ground.
Globe and Mail
8 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Carney's G7 invitation list continues to expand, despite concerns about India's presence
Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to expand the invitation list for the coming Group of Seven summit, as he seeks to build new economic partnerships, though some of his caucus members are raising concerns about India's presence at the table. The Globe and Mail has learned that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend next week's G7 gathering in Kananaskis, Alta. – a development that may ease some of the tension inside Mr. Carney's Liberal caucus, as some MPs were also upset about Mr. bin Salman's invitation. The MPs say India and Saudi Arabia are in violation of Mr. Carney's own G7 priority of 'countering foreign interference and transnational crime,' and therefore should not have been invited. A list of attendants of the June 15-17 summit, issued Wednesday by the Prime Minister's Office, includes the leaders of Brazil, South Africa, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Mexico, Ukraine and Australia; the presidents of the European Commission and World Bank; and the NATO secretary-general. More leaders may still be confirmed. The members of the G7, an informal grouping of some of the world's most advanced economies, are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States. The country hosting each year's summit often invites non-member states to attend in recognition of other major economies and the need for global collaboration on major policy priorities. Mr. Carney announced Wednesday that, ahead of the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will come to Ottawa for bilateral talks. 'Prime Minister Starmer's visit will strengthen the long-standing economic and security partnership between the two nations – and deliver growth and prosperity for our peoples,' Mr. Carney's office said in a statement. The two men previously met in March, on Mr. Carney's first trip abroad as Prime Minister. Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal criticizes Modi's G7 invitation in meeting with Carney The G7 summit will mark U.S. President Donald Trump's first visit to Canada since his re-election and imposition of tariffs on this country. Ottawa and Washington continue to negotiate toward a new trade and security deal. Mr. Carney has said the priorities guiding the summit are 'anchored' in building stronger economies. He will be seeking co-ordinated action in three areas: 'protecting our communities and the world,' 'building energy security and accelerating digital transitions,' and securing economic partnerships. Under that first heading, he specifically described tackling foreign interference and transnational crime – a priority that Liberal MPs said Wednesday is out of step with inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. bin Salman. In 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh-Canadian advocate for the carving out of an independent state of Khalistan in India, was killed in B.C. Mr. Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, publicly accused India of orchestrating the slaying, though New Delhi has denied the allegation. Four Indian nationals have been charged in the case. The foreign-interference inquiry also cited instances of Indian-state meddling in Canadian democratic processes. Opinion: Carney should know it's way too soon to invite Modi to Canada In 2018, Ottawa imposed sanctions on 17 Saudis for the slaying of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. U.S. media later reported that the CIA believes Mr. bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, ordered Mr. Khashoggi's killing – contradicting Riyadh's assertion that he was not involved. Gurbux Saini, a B.C. Liberal MP, said the G7 invitations of Mr. Modi and Mr. bin Salman undermine Canada's reputation. 'It is a damaging thing because we have been known in the world as caring and compassionate people who love human rights, and this is something the Prime Minister is aware of and it has been brought to his attention,' Mr. Saini said on his way into the party's weekly caucus meeting Wednesday. Mr. Carney did not answer questions from reporters Wednesday about the invite to Mr. bin Salman. But last week, Mr. Carney said it made sense for India to be at the table, as it is one of the largest economies in the world and central to global supply chains. He wouldn't comment on the allegations levelled by his predecessor against India, saying 'the rule of law is proceeding as it should,' and that he wasn't going to comment. But he said the invitation to Mr. Modi was extended in the context of continuing dialogue between law enforcement in both countries. Some MPs said Wednesday that, while they understand the imperative of engaging economically and diplomatically with India and Saudi Arabia, there has to be a wider discussion of the issues. 'These are important economic relationships to have,' said Karina Gould, who ran against Mr. Carney for Liberal leadership earlier this year. 'But that being said, as Canada, we also have certain values that are important to us, and when it comes to human rights, when it comes to standing up and protecting Canadian citizens on our soil, but also ensuring that freedom exists around the world, that that's a message that we should be passing along to both Prime Minister Modi as well as the Crown Prince.'
Global News
11 hours ago
- Global News
Calgary residents asked to be patient ahead of G7 summit in Kananaskis
It's an exciting time to be a Calgarian, as world leaders and a small army of delegates will touch down in Alberta over the coming days for the G7 summit in Kananaskis. The annual Group of Seven (G7) summit brings together the leaders of seven of the world's advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the European Union. Canada assumed the presidence of the group for 2025, thus is hosting this year's gathering from June 15 to 17 in the Alberta rockies west of Calgary. For weeks, various stakeholders such as police and the military have been preparing for the high-security gathering. 1:56 Heading to Kananaskis? Prepare for restrictions amid G7 summit On Wednesday, Mayor Jyoti Gondek and city general manager Doug Morgan laid out some of the changes Calgarians will see, focusing on increased congestion in the downtown core, as well as the airport. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says her constituents have always shown patience and hospitality when large events come to town. With the G7 summit days ahead, she's hoping it will be no different. Devon Simmons / Global News Gondek is asking Calgary residents for patience, while sharing her excitement for the days to come. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Just remember, these disruptions, while necessary, are also temporary. And they ensure the safety of everyone that's involved.' 'Calgarians are well known for their patience and hospitality. We're just asking for a little bit of both for the next coming days.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Calgarians are well known for their patience and hospitality. We're just asking for a little bit of both for the next coming days." Rolling blockages due to motorcades could also affect Calgary commuters on short notice during the summit. 'From our traffic management centre, our team will monitor the roads 24/7 with access to real-time data and camera feeds,' Morgan said. 'They can quickly respond to changing traffic conditions and keep things moving.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They can quickly respond to changing traffic conditions and keep things moving." 1:58 Calgary hopes to showcase itself ahead of G7 Summit The summit also presents an opportunity for individuals and groups to have their voices heard at several designated protest zones around the city. Story continues below advertisement 'We're going to be gathering on Sunday to send a loud and clear message to world leaders meeting at the G7 summit — water is not a commodity, and it's not to be negotiated,' said activist Jesse Cardinal. She's the executive director of Keepers of the Water, a group that aims to amplify voices of Indigenous Canadians concerned about the use of one of the country's most precious resources. The group will be part of a peaceful gathering of several organizations on June 15th at one of the protest zones at the Calgary Municipal Complex. 'We're Indigenous people and we're gathering on traditional Indigenous territory,' Cardinal explained. 'We respect the zones that are blocked off where we're not supposed to be for safety reasons.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We respect the zones that are blocked off where we're not supposed to be for safety reasons." With such a large influx of law enforcement already noticeable to many Calgarians, some may wonder if the Calgary Police Service will be able to continue their normal line of work. Story continues below advertisement 'It's important to remember (policing) is a partnership between the Calgary Police Service, the Alberta RCMP, as well as Alberta Sheriffs,' Gondek said. 'The Calgary Police Service remains committed to serving Calgarians to meet their everyday needs just as they always have.' Mount Royal University Justice Studies professor Doug King shares the mayor's confidence. 'For people who might be thinking 'this is a good opportunity to do some nefarious things…' give it a shot and see what happens. 'There's probably going to be more police officers visible.' King stresses with a lengthy amount of time to prepare, and Calgary's penchant for hosting large events year after year, this really is business as usual for officers. 'This is the stuff careers in the Calgary Police Service are made of,' King said. As part of its presidency year, Canada hosted a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, from March 12-14, and a G7 finance ministers and central bank bovernors' meeting in Banff, Alberta, from May 20-22.
