Security ramps up, protesters gather as world leaders land in Calgary for start of G7 summit
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Carney was scheduled for back-to-back meetings with Albanese and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Calgary before leaving for Kananaskis, where he was to meet with Treaty 7 First Nations leaders and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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He will also have a one-on-one meeting with Trump early Monday, according to media reports. Trump was not expected to arrive until late Sunday.
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At the airport Sunday, Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Premier Danielle Smith and First Nations representatives welcomed leaders from the G7 nations and invited non-member countries as they arrived. Smith will also host an evening reception in Calgary on Monday and hold bilateral meetings throughout the summit.
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Arriving G8 leaders received a traditional Calgary white-hat welcome ahead of the 2002 summit as they were handed a Smithbilt hat on the airport tarmac by then-mayor Dave Bronconnier.
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Law enforcement officers from across Western Canada have descended on Calgary to help support the security effort for activities relating to the summit.
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Officers from Vancouver have patrolled the streets of downtown Calgary near city hall, while members of the Tsuut'ina Nation, Edmonton and Winnipeg police services are also expected to assist, working alongside the Calgary Police Service, Alberta Sheriffs and RCMP.
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In Kananaskis Country, the RCMP has established a large, controlled access zone around key summit venues, which lasts through June 18.
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Raven McLaren was among a group of protesters at the city hall rally who welcomed the opportunity to protest Trump's visit. 'I'm here in protest today showing my Canadian unity in the face of Donald Trump's threats and attacks against my country,' McLaren said. 'Now that he's here in my country, I feel compelled to be here.
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'He's made himself to be the enemy of Canada, and the enemy is in our country,' McLaren added. 'We're a nation of diversity, equity and inclusion, and (Trump) can't take that away from us.'
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McLaren was joined by Tiffany Junghans, who echoed his sentiments. 'The G7 is a very important conference. We're lucky there are so many eyes here,' she said. 'We're very proud to be Canadian and very proud to exercise our rights and privileges to protest.'
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As protesters ventured outside the designated demonstration zone into the streets of downtown, CPS expressed concern, writing on social media: 'An unauthorized march has occurred and we (are) working with demonstrators to comply with traffic safety rules.' Another post: 'There are about 400 people marching (and) our concern is around the safety of demonstrators (and) other motorists.'
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