Feature:

You are here: Home > Features > G8 Summit in Kananaskis > Kananaskis Summit

Security at the Summit

With the recent events of September 11th and the potential for large-scale protests, security is an important aspect of the Kananaskis Summit. In this introduction to Summit security, the following topics will be examined:

• G8 Summit Security Team
• Goals of the G8 Summit Security Team
• Canadian Forces in Kananaskis
• Security and Protesting
• Access

Responsibility for Summit Security

The G8 Summit Security team consists of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Calgary Police Service (CPS).

The RCMP has jurisdiction for all areas outside of Calgary, including the Summit site itself and surrounding area. The RCMP is also responsible for the safety of internationally protected persons. This includes delegates and leaders that leave the Summit site to visit Calgary or other areas.

The Calgary Police Service has jurisdiction for public safety within the city of Calgary, this includes protests in the city and any threat to property or personal safety.

In emergency cases, both police services would provide support to one another.

Goals of the G8 Summit Security Team

The G8 Summit Security team has set a number of goals to be achieved during the Summit. These goals include:

• Provide a safe and peaceful environment for the G8 Summit
• Protect:
  • all heads of state, their families, and G8 delegates
  • the general public
  • activists and demonstrators
  • emergency service personnel
     
• Protect public property
• Minimize the environmental impact of security operations
• Protect the rights of individuals guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to freedom of opinion, expression, association and assembly in a lawful manner
• Strengthen partnerships with the community, private enterprise, volunteer groups and other government agencies, as well as policing colleagues
• Communicate with the communities we serve in order to increase feelings of safety and to ensure a better understanding of the potential impact of G8 Summit activities
• To provide enhanced traffic control and management in all areas affected by G8 Summit activities

Canadian Forces in Kananaskis

The Canadian Forces will also play an important role in Summit security. Over 5,000 soldiers will be deployed in the region. Their primary task will be to guard the security perimeter around the meeting. Canadian Forces’ fighter-jets will also patrol a no-fly zone over the security zone. Other roles that the military may play include ant-terrorist and anti-biological activities.

Security and Protesting

Based on past experience, the G8 Summit Security Team is predicting several thousand visitors to the Summit.

The Security Team will not prevent demonstrations from being held in the Kananaskis or Calgary areas. The Security Team has committed itself to respecting visitors and protestors right to express their views peacefully. This includes the rights of individuals guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to freedom of opinion, expression, association and assembly in a lawful manner.

However, the Security Team is also committed to the Summit delegates' safety and the maintenance of public safety, peace and good order. In pursuit of these goals, the Security Team will use appropriate measures to control demonstrations and reduce the risk of confrontations between activist groups and the police.

The Security Team has also committed itself to involving activists in discussion about the Summit, and to share information about rights and legal responsibilities and foster understanding of expectations.

Impact of the Summit Security

Security at the Summit will have the following impact on the Kananaskis and Calgary region:

• 95% of the land within Kananaskis Country will remain open to the public for camping and recreational use.
• Limited areas around the Kananaskis Summit area will be closed for security purposes.
• Calgary International Airport will remain open with minor delays and additional security requirements.
• Traffic control, road closures, restricted access and identity checks in designated areas of the city of Calgary and around the security perimeter in the Kananaskis Valley.
• Control barriers may be used around the Kananaskis security perimeter and around designated areas in Calgary.

© 2001-2006 Maple Leaf Web.
All Rights Reserved

This page was last modified: August 10, 2007