G7 leaders’ summit to close large swath of Kananaskis this spring

We're about four months away from the G7 summit in Kananaskis and preparation for the gathering of world leaders is underway.

As this year’s 51st G7 summit in Kananaskis draws closer, officials have released a map showing the large security area that will be locked down during the gathering.

Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada will gather in Kananaskis from June 15-17.

Security measures for the summit will see a large swath of the popular tourist area closed to the public from June 10 to 18.

- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

RCMP have released a map of the so-called Controlled Access Zone (CAZ), which includes the community of Kananaskis Village.

The areas affected include the following:

- Northern boundary: No unauthorized vehicles will be permitted past the Mount Lorette Ponds, south along Highway 40;

- Western boundary: There will be 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;

- Southern boundary: No unauthorized vehicles will be permitted past the Galatea Creek parking lot, north along Highway 40; and,

- Eastern boundary: The eastern boundary of the CAZ will extend along the eastern mountain ridgeline of the Kananaskis Valley.

Access to the CAZ will be restricted to authorized personnel, residents and businesses. Those attempting to access the CAZ will have to have accreditation.

“The public is asked to try their best to stay away from these high security points,” RCMP said in an online notice.

The establishment of the security perimeter also means the following locations will be closed:

- Mount Lorette Ponds, Beaver Ponds and Galatea Day Use Areas will be closed from June 6 to 20.

- Troll Falls Day use area will be closed from March 10 to July 31.

- Kovach Pond Day Use Areas will be closed from May 21 to June 30.

- The Kananaskis Village Common Area, Kananaskis Outfitters and Skyridge Glamping will be closed from June 10 to 18.

Temporary airspace restrictions will also be in place.

Growing threat

Canada has hosted six G7 summits to date, including a summit in Kananaskis back in 2002.

Back then, the CAZ had a 6.5-kilometre perimeter, an area that has been greatly expanded this time around.

Experts say it’s because technology and some societal displeasures have amplified the potential threat.

“Now it’s not just the very few roads up there, because they’re easy to secure,” G7 Research Group head John Kirton said.

“There’s the hiking trails — and there’s more now than they were back in 2002. The entire forest area that has to be secured.”

Kirton says it’s all but guaranteed that some protest and demonstrations will happen in the city with such a large locked-down area.

“We’ll have to wait to see how much of Calgary they’ll have to close down and for how long,” he said.

Still, the University of Toronto professor is convinced the event is a net positive.

“It really is a big boost,” he said. “The world will see on TV and on social media about Calgary and how great Calgary is.”