Latest news with #Kananaskis
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
'Bear birdie': Golfers tee off with wildlife in Kananaskis
Bears don't need a tee time to get on the green. When she went to the Kananaskis Country Golf Course to hit the links earlier this month, Calgary golfer Jess Lawson didn't imagine she would be sharing the back nine with a black bear. "We were very grateful for our partner to be the bear on the last hole," she said. "It was like a nice little homage to golfing in the mountains." As a 600-acre open space within the heavily-forested Kananaskis Valley, it's no surprise that animals like bears are drawn to the course. "One of the things that people sometimes forget about is what an incredible environment these golf courses are for all sorts of wildlife," said Darren Robinson, the course's longtime general manager. In his nearly three decades of living and working at the course, Robinson has seen everything from elk and moose to cougars and coyotes on the green. Plus more than his fair share of bears. "There's been days last summer where I literally saw, from in the clubhouse, five different bears," he said. "Some black, some grizzlies, some young, some parents. It's beautiful." 'Automatic bear par' Golfing in a wildlife hotspot requires special considerations. "Keeping a safe distance is first and foremost the thing that we encourage the most," said Robinson. The goal is to minimize and prevent human-wildlife interactions as much as possible. With that in mind, golfers are welcome to bend the rules a bit in the name of safety. "If somebody needs to pick up on a hole where there's a bear nearby, and just give themselves a par, that's great," said Robinson. "Pick up your ball and move on to the next hole." It's called an "automatic bear par" or "bear birdie," said Robinson. "We're happy to give people the opportunity to take whatever they want on that particular hole just to maintain that safe proximity," he said. "And who doesn't like getting a par?" Spotting a bear on the green could be a golfer's lucky day, but Lawson wasn't looking to take any shortcuts. "It can really up your score if you're kind of a new golfer," she said. "But for us, we had a lot of time, so we were able to just kind of enjoy the bear, soaking in the afternoon and then we could finish on with the course." What brings bears to the fairway? Alberta Parks has issued a bear warning for Kananaskis Country Golf Course, effective May 8, due to "multiple grizzly and black bears frequenting the area." With food scarce at this time of year, spring brings bears closer to developed areas. At places like the course, they're looking for vegetation like grass and dandelions, said Nick de Ruyter, program director of the BioSphere Institute's WildSmart. "Golf courses are very nice and green. There's lots of green grass and there's not that much other food available," he said. Bear steals golf clubs from B.C. man's cart 2 years ago Duration 1:05 That increase in springtime bear activity goes beyond the golf course and is applicable on other popular destinations like hiking trails and urban centres. "This time of year, during the springtime, we're all sharing the valley bottoms together," said de Ruyter, a Canmore resident. "There's snow up high, all the available food is down low, and all our recreation is down low in the valley." Come summer, bears likely won't frequent the course as much. "July, August is berry season, and that normally takes their focus," de Ruyter said. "And so they will probably move away from golf courses in places like that." Buffaloberries, a staple of the typical bear diet, grow in human-disturbed areas where more sunlight reaches them due to trees having been cleared. "That can be around golf courses, around campgrounds, trails, day use areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, parks," said de Ruyter. "And so we do still see them near those areas, but for a different reason." Those berries grow around the green rather than in it, so bears will likely stay off the fairway and remain on the outskirts of the course in search of food. "We might not see them in the middle of the golf course as much as we do see them now, but there is a chance you'll still see them," said de Ruyter. Being bear aware Seeing a bear anywhere can be a magical moment, but it's important to always exercise caution, said de Ruyter. "Every group and ideally every person should be carrying bear spray," said de Ruyter, who releases weekly bear reports for the Bow Valley area. The Kananaskis Country Golf Course doesn't require golfers to bring bear spray, but staffers make sure to provide safety tips and information on bear activity in the area as well as contact information for Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services. Seated in a golf cart a significant distance from the bear, Lawson said she felt at ease sharing the field with the animal, even without bear spray. "It's a long walk on the 18 holes, so if you're pushing, maybe bring bear spray. But ultimately, if you're in a golf cart, you're pretty safe if you're 100 yards away," she said. There have yet to be any harmful interactions with bears at the Kananaskis course in recent history, and golfers have a role to play in keeping it that way. "What isn't fair is to start scaring bears away with your bear spray because you're playing golf," said de Ruyter. The course's "bear par" policy helps avoid scenarios like that, but according to de Ruyter, the more likely problem to arise when it comes to bears is food. "Chips, hot dogs and burgers … that's a lot more calories than some grass for them," said de Ruyter. "They will choose human food over natural foods all the time." Bears that become conditioned to human food are likely to see humans as a food source, which can create serious problems for both sides. "They will intentionally start hanging around golf courses hoping that golf carts come by with open food," said de Ruyter. "They'll try and grab the food, and then if they continue that, they'll become even more bold and then potentially start taking food out of people's hands." "Those bears will get trapped and they'll get most likely killed or relocated," said de Ruyter. As the saying goes, "a fed bear is a dead bear." Avoiding human-wildlife conflict is top of mind for Lawson the next time she tees off in K-Country. "The mountains are so beautiful, but this is technically their home," said Lawson. "So all we can do is really stay safe and make sure that we're prepared before we go out."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite India's Modi to G7 summit
OTTAWA — Sikh organizations are calling on Ottawa to break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Canada is hosting the G7 leaders' summit next month in Kananaskis, Alta. While the leaders of those G7 nations — France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — are expected to attend, along with the president of the European Commission, Ottawa hasn't said which leaders it has invited from outside that core group of like-minded liberal democracies. The Canadian Press learned Friday that Canada has invited Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to attend the summit. Brazil's foreign ministry did not immediately say whether he has accepted the invitation. The South African high commission has told The Canadian Press that Ottawa also invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 summit this November in Johannesburg, has not said if he will attend. Canada has invited both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the summit; both have said they will attend. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019 and Canada and India have signalled recently a possible thaw in relations after months of tensions. But the Toronto-based Sikh Federation said this week that Canada should withhold any invitation "until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada." They point to Canada's allegation that New Delhi played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in 2023, and in numerous other violent crimes. The Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization have expressed concerns about the federal Liberals seeking deeper ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said recently she had a "productive discussion" with her Indian counterpart on May 25 about "deepening our economic co-operation and advancing shared priorities." The Sikh groups argue this suggests the federal government is putting economic concerns ahead of human rights. The Liberals originally made India the focus of their Indo-Pacific strategy in late 2022, describing the country as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Months later, the government accused India of involvement in his death. The RCMP says it has evidence that New Delhi is behind numerous crimes targeting Sikh-Canadians. India claims Canada is enabling a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland — Khalistan — to be carved out of India, and calls that a violation of its sovereignty. Ottawa has long held that it allows free speech that doesn't call for violence. Prime Minister Mark Carney said during the recent election campaign he wants to pursue trade with India. He said India could play a key role in ending the trade wars if it shows "mutual respect" in light of "strains on that relationship that we didn't cause." India's high commission referred an interview request on the bilateral relationship to the country's foreign ministry in New Delhi. Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the summit. Department spokeswoman Camie Lamarche said the names will be "made available in due time." Since the April 28 federal election, Carney's office has published readouts of discussions with his counterparts from the G7 countries, along with Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Jordan. G7 hosts in recent years have invited four or more guests. Canada invited a dozen when it last hosted the summit in 2018, including Haiti, the Seychelles, Norway and Argentina. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite Indian PM Modi to G7 summit
Sikh organizations are calling on Ottawa to break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Canada is hosting the G7 leaders' summit next month in Kananaskis, Alta., with the leaders from those nations expected to attend — France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, along with the president of the European Commission. But Ottawa has been tight-lipped on which leaders it has invited outside that core group of like-minded liberal democracies. The South African high commission told The Canadian Press that Canada invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 summit this November in Johannesburg, has not confirmed if he will attend. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on May 4 that Canada invited him to the summit and he will attend. Canada also has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend and he confirmed again this week he will be there. Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019, and Canada and India have signalled recently a possible thaw in relations after months of tensions. But the Toronto-based Sikh Federation said this week that Canada should withhold any invitation "until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada." They point to Canada's allegation that New Delhi played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in 2023, and in numerous other violent crimes. The Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization have expressed concerns about the federal Liberals seeking deeper ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said recently she had a "productive discussion" with her Indian counterpart on May 25 on "deepening our economic co-operation and advancing shared priorities." The Sikh groups argue this suggests the federal government is putting economic concerns ahead of human rights. The Liberals originally made India the focus of their Indo-Pacific strategy in late 2022, describing the country as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Months later, the government accused India of involvement in his death. The RCMP says it has evidence that New Delhi is behind numerous crimes targeting Sikh Canadians. India claims Canada is enabling a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland — called Khalistan — to be carved out of India, and calls that a violation of its sovereignty. Ottawa has long held that it allows free speech that doesn't call for violence. Prime Minister Mark Carney said during the election campaign he wants to pursue trade with India. He said India could play a key role in ending the trade wars if it shows "mutual respect" in light of "strains on that relationship that we didn't cause." India's high commission referred an interview request on the bilateral relationship to the country's Foreign Ministry in New Delhi. Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the G7 summit next month. Department spokesperson Camie Lamarche said the names would be "made available in due time." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. Since the April 28 federal election, Carney's office has published readouts of discussions with his counterparts from the G7 countries, along with Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Jordan. G7 hosts in recent years have invited four or more guests. Canada invited a dozen when it last hosted the summit in 2018, including Haiti, the Seychelles, Norway and Argentina.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Sikh groups say Ottawa should not invite India's Modi to G7 summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for a ceremonial reception for visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the Indian presidential palace in New Delhi, India on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) OTTAWA — Sikh organizations are calling on Ottawa to break with a five-year tradition by not inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Canada is hosting the G7 leaders' summit next month in Kananaskis, Alta. with the leaders from those nations expected to attend — France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, along with the president of the European Commission. But Ottawa has been tight-lipped on which leaders it has invited outside that core group of like-minded liberal democracies. The South African high commission told The Canadian Press Canada invited President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the summit. Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 summit this November in Johannesburg, has not confirmed if he will attend. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on May 4 that Canada invited him to the summit and he will attend. Canada also has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend and he confirmed again this week he will be there. Modi has been invited to every G7 leaders' summit since 2019 and Canada and India have signalled recently a possible thaw in relations after months of tensions. But the Toronto-based Sikh Federation said this week that Canada should withhold any invitation 'until India substantially co-operates with criminal investigations in Canada.' They point to Canada's allegation that New Delhi played a role in the assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in 2023, and in numerous other violent crimes. The Sikh Federation and the World Sikh Organization have expressed concerns about the federal Liberals seeking deeper ties with India. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said recently she had a 'productive discussion' with her Indian counterpart on May 25 on 'deepening our economic co-operation and advancing shared priorities.' The Sikh groups argue this suggests the federal government is putting economic concerns ahead of human rights. The Liberals originally made India the focus of their Indo-Pacific strategy in late 2022, describing the country as a democratic nation with strong trade potential. That all changed after the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Months later, the government accused India of involvement in his death. The RCMP says it has evidence that New Delhi is behind numerous crimes targeting Sikh-Canadians. India claims Canada is enabling a separatist movement that calls for a Sikh homeland — called Khalistan — to be carved out of India, and calls that a violation of its sovereignty. Ottawa has long held that it allows free speech that doesn't call for violence. Prime Minister Mark Carney said during the election campaign he wants to pursue trade with India. He said India could play a key role in ending the trade wars if it shows 'mutual respect' in light of 'strains on that relationship that we didn't cause.' India's high commission referred an interview request on the bilateral relationship to the country's foreign ministry in New Delhi. Global Affairs Canada hasn't released the names of every leader Ottawa has invited to the G7 summit next month. Department spokeswoman Camie Lamarche said the names would be 'made available in due time.' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that Canada had invited her nearly two weeks prior but she had not yet decided whether she'll attend. Since the April 28 federal election, Carney's office has published readouts of discussions with his counterparts from the G7 countries, along with Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Jordan. G7 hosts in recent years have invited four or more guests. Canada invited a dozen when it last hosted the summit in 2018, including Haiti, the Seychelles, Norway and Argentina. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
G7 sustainability effort sees Kananaskis Village bear-proofed
A grizzly bear feasts on buffaloberries along Smith Dorrien Trail in Spray Valley Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country in July 2021. (File Photo/Rocky Mountain Outlook) A group of students and scouts from southern Alberta are bear-proofing areas around Kananaskis Village ahead of next month's G7 Summit. More than 200 local teens have been plucking buffaloberry bushes in May in an effort to detract wildlife from venturing into the space. The bright red berries are very popular with bears. Trevor Julian, executive director of the non-profit Friends of Kananaskis Country, is leading the charge. 'We're partnered with Global Affairs Canada,' he told CTV News. 'They reached out wanting to do a bit of a legacy project, something good for the environment left behind, and we pitched this to them. Now we're working together, engaging students from the Bow Valley and Calgary and some scouts to come out and do this work and learn a little bit about the environment.' Friends of Kananaskis Country typically focuses on trail maintenance but couldn't pass up the opportunity to make the forest that much better, too. Julian jokes launching the project under the G7 banner was a nice excuse to do something that will primarily help the village long after any delegates have left. That's because security barriers and wildlife fences have already been erected around the area, and the buffaloberries are still about a month away from blooming. Digging the plants out of the ground will keep the immediate area clear for up to 10 years. Students have been focused on pulling roots near the hotel, the staff residences and along a main trail in Kananaskis Village. 'I think it's really good for us,' said Crescent Heights Grade 10 student Alexander Scott. 'We get work experience, and it's obviously really good for the park because they keep the bears away from the buildings. 'It's just overall fun.' 'I think it's great that we get to come out here and enjoy the nature,' said Grade 11 student Ayna Spahic. 'And I'd probably be in bio class or in physics, doing some science stuff. I'd rather be out here!' The work is being done in 10 days across three weeks. It wraps up the first week of June. Leaders arrive in K-Country on June 15.
