Security for Kananaskis Country G7 Summit 'ready to respond swiftly to any situation'

Residents and visitors will be unable to escape the extraordinary security crackdown expected during the G7 Summit of world leaders in Kananaskis Country in June.

The Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG), led by the RCMP and includes the Calgary Police Service, the Alberta Sheriffs Branch, Alberta Conservation officers and the Canadian Armed Forces, is running point on security and community relations.

Details are scant for now, but ISSG officials say there will be increased patrols and police presence around Kananaskis to enhance security, noting officers will be available to assist residents, answer questions, and address any concerns that may arise.

They say these patrols are a proactive measure to deter potential incidents and maintain a safe environment, with officers “ready to respond swiftly to any situation,” noting the commitment is to “ensure visibility and accessibility so the community feels supported and reassured throughout the summit.”

Logan Fraser, ISSG spokesperson, said he can’t speak to the specifics about how and where security will be deployed, but there is a large controlled access zone in place in Kananaskis Country in effect from June 10-18 and restricted air space for aircraft and drones.

“People will see an increased security presence,” Logan said. “I can’t talk a lot about the security envelope, but we’re aiming for the least amount of impact on people.”

Extra military, police presence at 2002 summit

During the 2002 G8 Summit of world leaders in Kananaskis Country, security was tight with several thousand soldiers and police deployed to the region.

At the time, it was one of the largest security operations on the ground in Canadian history and was code-named Operation Grizzly. The summit occurred just 10 months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.

Increased air surveillance began about a week ahead of the summit, with the skies abuzz with helicopters and F-18 fighter planes, kicking up a notch when a 150-km radius no-fly zone was implemented at summit time.

While F-18s were seen and heard daily, a low-flying fighter plane woke residents early one morning, rattling windows of homes as it thundered less than 1,000 feet above Canmore. Following resident complaints, the military later said the F-18 was on a training exercise.

Canadian military were operating ground radar, and Air Defence Anti-Tank System surface-to-air missiles were deployed in several locations, which were capable of firing on threatening aircraft up to 10 km away.

U.S. President George W. Bush reportedly flew into Kananaskis every day from Montana, but this was not confirmed at the time.

Locally in the Canmore community, scores of police officers on mountain bikes were patrolling the streets and security was noticeably beefed up at several Canmore hotels where summit delegates were staying.

Armed soldiers and police greeted hikers and mountain bikers at several front country and backcountry checkpoints as part of the massive security crackdown throughout the region during that summit.

Along Highway 40 and the Smith-Dorrien Highway, also known as Spray Lakes Road and Highway 742, several checkpoints were set up, where security personnel searched vehicles and used magnetic wands similar to those used at airport security to screen individuals.

The first of many checkpoints along the Smith-Dorrien was set up by the hydro canal near Goat Creek Trail, where police took down licence plates and checked photo identification of everyone entering the area.

Self-sufficient military camps were stationed along the roads, with Coyote surveillance vehicles, eight-wheeled vehicles that were armed with a 25mm bushmaster chain gun and two machine guns, seen in the area.

During the 2002 summit, government exemptions had to be given to allow the RCMP, the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service and the Department of National Defence Canadian Armed Forces broad powers to jam radio-communication signals.

The government was briefed that the power to jam radio and cellphone transmissions was essential in order to provide enhanced security. For example, government documents indicated there may be a need to use electric jamming during military exercises, for the protection of visiting dignitaries, or “quiet zones” around potential bombs that need to be defused.

Potential impacts on Canmore

As for the Town of Canmore, every member of Town staff, right down to the recreation parks and recreation staff, had to go through extensive training to deal with every ‘what-if’ imaginable associated with the summit.

The Town brought in a private security firm, PPS Security, to guard every municipal building.

Extra bodies were added to municipal enforcement staff, and roving security guards did periodic checks at the FCSS office and all the outdoor sports fields.

Epcor did around-the-clock surveillance of the Town of Canmore’s water supply at Rundle Forebay, and installed enhanced fencing around the small reservoir above Peaks of Grassi.

To recoup costs as a result of the summit, the Town of Canmore asked for $600,000 from the federal government, but was awarded $485,000.

This time around, Town of Canmore officials say things are a little different for the 2025 summit.

“The G7 organizers have been clear from the outset that this will be a very different G7 than the last one,” said Adam Roberston, manager of communications for the Town of Canmore.

“There has been extensive regional planning and practice sessions around potential emergency scenarios. Safety and security will not be provided by Town staff like it was last time. The coordination and on-the-ground security is being managed by the G7.”

Robertson said the overall level of preparedness and training as a municipality and regionally has also changed since the last summit in 2002 and is “much more significant than it was 20 years ago.”

“So, what we already have in place is being leveraged for the G7,” he said.

Robertson said the Town of Canmore has also been involved in a monthly meeting where leaders from across the Bow Valley are given updates from G7 staff and an opportunity to ask questions.  

“Much of what is being covered is about the closure in Kananaskis, legacy cell infrastructure, and approaches to sustainability,” he said.

There are also information sessions for businesses.

“They are working to compensate those businesses who will be negatively impacted, that is loss of business, and looking to create opportunities for those businesses that want to work with the government of Canada to create opportunities for G7 attendees.”

At this time there is no financial ask from the Town of Canmore.

“We do not have the same role or responsibility that the Town had last time,” said Robertson.

During the 2002 summit, the most noticeable change in routine at Canmore General Hospital was the setting up of two large decontamination tents in the event tear gas was used to disperse protesters before any potential patients were allowed into the hospital.

The hospital also had 24-hour security throughout the summit.

Additional quantities of medication, including those used to deal with anthrax, were stockpiled as well as other medication made available by special release by Health Canada.

Hospital staff underwent special training related to emergency response, suspicious packages, bomb threats, evacuation, mass casualty and decontamination. 

They were also given training on psychological response to stressful situations.

While it was unknown exactly how many RCMP were in the region overall for security purposes, the Canmore detachment was given an extra 38 officers directly available to them on top of its existing 14 officers at the detachment at the time.

The expected hordes of protesters in the area for the summit failed to materialize. There were small peaceful protests, including in Canmore.

In 2002, the military booked out the Banff recreation centre, while close to 260 trailers, each continuing several single and double occupancy rooms, were trucked into the Nakiska Ski Resort to house some of the RCMP.

The military had a separate base camp below the ski hill, however, thousands of troops were in tents in the backcountry and at existing campgrounds in the region. 

Disruptions, closures in Kananaskis

For this year’s 2025 G7 summit, Nakiska Ski Area will be closed from April 22 to July 30.

Alberta Whitewater Association has been informed that a new cell tower is going in at Canoe Meadows this month to support the G7 Summit’s transportation corridor.

“The Kananaskis will look a little different June 10-18 during the G7 Leaders’ Summit. We’ve been told it should not affect operations for Kananaskis Whitewater,” states the group’s social media post.

Mount Kidd RV Park will be closed to the public before, during and after the G7 Summit from May 15 to July 1.

Kurt Schwarz, general manager of Mount Kidd RV Park, said the campground will be open but could not say who would be staying there.

“We’re booked during that timeframe, we’re still open, but not open to the general public,” he said.

The Kananaskis Country Golf Course expects to be closed to the public for a window of time in and around the summit, and as soon as the dates are confirmed, the information will be posted on its website and social media channels.

“We are hopeful the world leaders will have the opportunity to play our world-class golf courses during their visit to Kananaskis,” said Darren Robinson, general manager and chief operating officer of Kananaskis Country Golf Courses.

During the 2002 summit of world leaders, the golf course was fully compensated for the closure to the public.

“The longest days of the year are in June, making this a considerable business impact,” Robinson.

Leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada, as well as the European Union, will participate in the June 15-17 summit.