G7 protesters organizing, say upcoming summit fails to address real-world problems

As world leaders prepare to gather in Kananaskis for the G7 summit next month, some activist groups across Canada say they are planning protests while others say they won't send a large presence to Alberta this year.

Environmentalists, anti-imperialist coalitions and Indigenous advocates, among many other groups, are weighing their options for this year's summit.

Some say the meeting's location in the remote wilderness destination of Kananaskis, about 90 kilometres west of Calgary, poses challenges. 

One major environmental group, Greenpeace Canada, says that's one of the reasons it won't send a large presence to the summit this year.

"It's a long way to go, a lot of carbon to burn, to stand in a parking lot an hour's drive away from where leaders are actually meeting," said Keith Stewart, a spokesperson with Greenpeace.

"We're going to be focusing our efforts on the G7 capitals and trying to make sure that the politicians remember that just because Donald Trump doesn't believe in it doesn't mean climate change has gone away."

Greenpeace is instead mulling the possibility of holding demonstrations in other cities, and will support local groups where possible.

"We'll definitely be making some noise and ... we might have some people in Alberta, but we're not gonna have a big presence there," Stewart said.

"This G7 meeting is likely to be dominated by what to do about Trump. But part of that is, how do we continue to make progress on things like climate change, the affordability crisis, working around Trump and the billionaires backing him?"

Officials say a major police presence will be in place during the summit, including officers from RCMP, Calgary Police Service and other agencies.

"Designated demonstration zones" will be set up, including in downtown Calgary. Another zone will be set up near the Calgary International Airport, at the Edward H. LaBorde Viewing Area.

"Creating these locations ensures minimal disruption to critical infrastructure such as roads or highways. These areas also ensure the safety of demonstrators, the public and law enforcement, while providing visible and accessible locations for peaceful assembly," wrote Alberta RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall, in a statement.

There will also be a designated protest zone in Banff, at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre.

Calgary Police Service Supt. Joe Brar, the G7 event security director, told The Canadian Press that people have the right to assemble outside the demonstration zones. However, police are encouraging the public to gather in those zones for safety reasons, he added.