ADVERTISEMENT

Calgary

Calgary Police, RCMP update security measures ahead of G7 Summit in Kananaskis

Published: 

The RCMP and Calgary police are unveiling details on how they plan to secure the upcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis Country.

With the 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis on the horizon, law enforcement is ramping up preparations ahead of the event in mid-June.

RCMP and the Calgary Police Service (CPS) are outlining the progress of the Integrated Safety & Security Group (ISSG) on Wednesday to Calgary’s Police Commission to ensure the event is secure.

RCMP Chief Superintendent David Hall, who will serve as the ISSG Event Security Director, and CPS Superintendent Joe Brar will address media questions on Wednesday.

G7 Summit in Savelletri Di Fasano President of the European Council Charles Michel, clockwise from front left, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and President for the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen take part in a working session during the G7 Summit in Savelletri Di Fasano, Italy on Thursday, June 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

The ISSG includes the CPS, Alberta Sheriffs, Conservation Officers and Canadian Armed Forces.

The group will focus on:

  • motorcade support;
  • securing hotels and sites where dignitaries will be staying;
  • wildlife management teams to help reduce harmful human-wildlife interactions;
  • deployment of specialized teams such as public order units; and
  • transportation and processing of individuals charged with crimes, if necessary.

The security plan includes logistical preparations, intelligence gathering and public safety strategies.

Officials say around 10,000 hotel rooms are booked for 70 official guests, 2,000 delegates, 1,400 journalists and thousands of security personnel.

The G7 Summit features world policymakers and leaders from Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and Italy. Discussions focus on global economic and geopolitical issues.

A controlled access zone will be in effect between June 10-18, 2025, for Kananaskis Country.

At the northern boundary, no vehicles will be permitted past the Mount Lorette Ponds, south along Highway 40.

The western boundary will have a heavy security presence along the eastern slope of Highway 742. While motorists can use Highway 742, all hiking trails along the eastern slope will be closed. Trails west of Highway 742 will be open.

At the southern boundary, no vehicles will be permitted past the Galatea Creek parking lot, north along Highway 40, while the eastern boundary will extend along the eastern mountain ridgeline of Kananaskis Valley.

As for trailheads in the area, Rummel Lake, Buller Pass, Spray Lakes Day Use Area, Sparrowhawk, Spencer Creek, Little Lougheed, Spurling Creek, High Rockies and Galatea will all be closed during the summit.

Three Sister Parkway, Mount Lougheed, McGillvary Creek, Quaite Valley, Barrier Lake, Wasootch Ridge, Sawmill Cross Country Ski and Chester Lake will all be open up to the Controlled Area Zone boundary.

Public Safety Canada has approved the proposed CPS budget, however, the costs will not be publicly available until the end of the summit.

Officials say, “It is not anticipated to negatively impact the CPS budget.”

CPS says it has “adequate staffing resources” to support the summit and police the city of Calgary.

CPS is also in the process of securing and finalizing equipment and facility resources required for the event.

The G7 summit in Kananaskis is planned for June 15-17.