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CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Overnight helicopter activity in Kananaskis to increase ahead of G7
A sign marks the entrance to Kananaskis Country, Alta., Monday, June 2, 2025. The G7 Leaders meeting will take place in Kananaskis from June 15-17. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh) Residents and visitors in and around Kananaskis may notice more helicopter activity in the overnight hours starting on Thursday, as security preparations for the G7 Summit continue. Royal Canadian Air Force helicopters will be conducting low-level night flying operations in an approximate 65-kilometre radius around the Nakiska Ski Hill from June 5 to 18. 'During this period, members of the public may see or hear helicopters in the Kananaskis area between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at an altitude of 2,000 feet or less,' the G7 Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) said in a news release. 'Flight crews may also be observed conducting operations and landing procedures in designated areas.' The ISSG said the training is a part of the armed forces' preparations to support RCMP in providing security for the summit. 'We thank the public for their understanding as the Canadian Armed Forces provide support to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police-led Integrated Safety and Security Group, ensuring a safe and secure G7 Summit for all participants and communities,' the release reads. The G7 Leaders' Summit will be held in Kananaskis from June 15 to 17.
CBC
03-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
'Remote terrain of Kananaskis' presents unique challenges for G7 security operation
Social Sharing With the G7 leaders' summit coming to Kananaskis in less than two weeks, preparations are well underway for what has been described as "the largest domestic security operation" a country can take on. During a media briefing on Monday, reporters were told by the Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) that the task force is currently in the process of bringing in personnel and setting up camps ahead of the summit, which takes place from June 15 to 17. WATCH | Strict security measures in place for G7: RCMP highlight security measures for upcoming G7 summit 20 hours ago Duration 11:35 While ongoing preparations have drawn inspiration from previous high-stakes security operations like the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2018 G7 leaders' summit in Charlevoix, Que., the unique challenges posed by the Kananaskis wilderness require special considerations. "The remote terrain of Kananaskis adds to the complexity of the operation," said Canadian Armed Forces Brig.-Gen. Liam Wade Rutland, commander of the joint task force. "Our immediate focus is on environmental familiarization, getting to know the terrain, our partners, and [understanding] the unique conditions of the area we're working in," he said. Encompassed within the Bow Valley's expansive forests, the Kananaskis controlled access zone in effect from June 10 to 18 presents risks such as weather, wildfires and encounters with wildlife. RCMP chief superintendent and ISSG event security director David Hall told reporters that "the potential that we may need to evacuate the summit site" has been taken into account, but that "maybe the summit itself [is] not of concern" when it comes to wildfires. "I would just say that all of our respective agencies are mindful of the wildfire threat nationally and how that may draw resources from the security partners to support evacuations like we're seeing in Manitoba or Saskatchewan right now, or parts of Alberta," he said. "All I'll say is our resourcing strategy for all of our agencies took that into account." Backcountry patrols, wildlife monitoring Wildlife, on the other hand, is being actively monitored to prevent interactions between humans and animals, with security personnel undergoing what Rutland called "numerous scenario-based exercises" involving wildlife encounters. Alberta Forestry and Parks superintendent Bryan Sundberg said personnel will be "conducting wildlife patrols and backcountry patrols" before and during the summit. Sundberg said the team will be looking to prevent wild animals, "especially the bears in the area," from getting too close to people. When the G8 leaders' summit was held in Kananaskis in 2002, a bear was tranquilized and inadvertently killed. "Our collective approach to wildlife mitigation is proactive and grounded in subject matter expertise," he said, adding that attractants such as food are being managed to avoid negative interactions with wild animals. Sundberg said officers will be deployed outdoors 24 hours a day, and that field personnel are being given wilderness safety training, including how to use bear spray, to protect both officers and wildlife. "Alongside our partners, Alberta Sheriffs are using real-time monitoring tools and on-the-ground patrols to track wildlife movement near the summit venues," said Sundberg. He said personnel from multiple agencies will be patrolling the backcountry to monitor not only wildlife but also human activity. "Our officers know the local trails, the terrain, the environment, and how people that use the area typically behave and interact in and along the trails and in the area," said Sundberg. "This key local knowledge helps keep the overall operation safe and efficient." "Officers will be out in the field, on the trails and at key locations and checkpoints where people might be hiking or working to provide guidance and advice to those recreationalists in the areas, and how we could avoid and lessen their impact," said Sundberg. Rutland emphasized that "environmental stewardship" has been top of mind for the ISSG throughout the planning process. "We recognize that Kananaskis is a national treasure and we're committed to mitigating and minimizing our impact, leaving the area in a pristine condition," he said. "This includes all our management plans and remediation of the area."
Edmonton Journal
03-06-2025
- General
- Edmonton Journal
'Specialized equipment': A look at the RCMP-led entourage for G7 security
Article content Led by the RCMP, the ISSG is the multi-agency team responsible for safety and security of the G7 Leaders' Summit, which runs from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis Village. Among the RCMP's partner agencies are the Calgary Police Service, the Alberta Sheriff's branch, Alberta conservation officers and the Canadian Forces, all of which had equipment and personnel present in northeast Calgary on Monday. RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall, ISSG security director, said the purpose of Monday's display was to give members of the public a sense of what to expect in terms of equipment throughout Calgary and Kananaskis during the summit. 'Some of it is pretty specialized equipment that will allow us to make sure the event's safe and secure for kind of everybody involved,' said Hall, adding it is the 'more visible' of the security measures in place. 'I want to reassure you that every security measure that we have put in place is intended to keep people safe,' he said.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Massive undertaking': G7 Leaders' Summit security team shares safety plan
With less than two weeks before the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Country, police are outlining the scope of security operations planned to keep people safe. With less than two weeks before the G7 Leaders' Summit, the RCMP and its partners in the Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) are outlining security operations planned in Kananaskis, Calgary and Banff. 'Residents of the Bow Valley will notice an increased presence of police and Canadian Armed Forces personnel, vehicles and aircraft in and around Summit locations. This will continue leading up to and during the event. Rest assured, our presence is not intended to be disruptive—it is designed to be visible, accessible and focused on ensuring everyone's safety,' said Chief Superintendent David Hall with the RCMP and the ISSG's event security director. Restriction and protest zones Controlled access zone in the Kananaskis Valley: Air restrictions: Hiking trails and campsites: Protest zones in Calgary: Protest zone in Banff: With less than two weeks before the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Country, police are outlining the scope of security operations planned to keep people safe. With less than two weeks before the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Country, police are outlining the scope of security operations planned to keep people safe. Rehearsals Calgary Police, RCMP, Alberta Sheriffs and the Canadian Armed Forces are rehearsing various scenarios, like mass protest arrests and riots, motorcade processions, assassination attempts and wildfire evacuations. 'Our detailed planning and readiness exercises have prepared us to respond swiftly and effectively to situations that may arise,' said Brigadier General L.W. Rutland, commander of Joint Task Force Cadence. With less than two weeks before the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Country, police are outlining the scope of security operations planned to keep people safe. With less than two weeks before the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Country, police are outlining the scope of security operations planned to keep people safe. Reporting suspicious activity If you think someone's actions may pose a risk related to the summit, contact the Combined Intelligence Group immediately. Telephone: 1-833-341-4464 Email: g7_intelligence-renseignements@ 'If someone hears something that concerns them, whether it's about a protester or they saw something suspicious, we need to hear that. That's the real ask to the community; if you're concerned, we'll be concerned, so let us know,' said Hall.
Calgary Herald
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'Specialized equipment': A look at the RCMP-led entourage for G7 security
The RCMP-led team handling security for the upcoming G7 summit have given a glimpse of the equipment that will be on standby. Article content Article content A bear trap, motorcades, mobile command centres and multiple armoured vehicles were among the tools members of the Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) had on display for media on Monday. Article content Drones, mounted police, bicycles, motorcycles and ATVs were also shown in a parking lot at the Calgary Police Service headquarters. Article content Article content Led by the RCMP, the ISSG is the multi-agency team responsible for safety and security of the G7 Leaders' Summit, which runs from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis Village. Article content Article content Among the RCMP's partner agencies are the Calgary Police Service, the Alberta Sheriff's branch, Alberta conservation officers and the Canadian Forces, all of which had equipment and personnel present in northeast Calgary on Monday. Article content RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall, ISSG security director, said the purpose of Monday's display was to give members of the public a sense of what to expect in terms of equipment throughout Calgary and Kananaskis during the summit. Article content 'Some of it is pretty specialized equipment that will allow us to make sure the event's safe and secure for kind of everybody involved,' said Hall, adding it is the 'more visible' of the security measures in place. Article content Article content 'I want to reassure you that every security measure that we have put in place is intended to keep people safe,' he said. Article content Article content Hall noted that the security operation is massively complex, being the 'largest domestic security operation' for whichever country is the host. Article content Airspace to be restricted Article content Last week, RCMP highlighted several areas that will be under airspace restrictions, and cautioned that pilots persistently breaching restricted airspace over the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis could be shot down by military aircraft. Article content Aerial intruders who refuse to obey orders to turn back from restricted airspace radiating 30 nautical miles from the summit venue in Kananaskis Village could be brought down with force as a last resort, Sgt. Mark Basanta, lead aerospace planner for the G7, said last week.
