G7 protests to be livestreamed to leaders in Kananaskis to give protesters a voice

A display in Calgary showed some of the security being deployed for G7, including tactical units, protective gear, armoured police and military vehicles, and officers on horseback.

Law enforcement officials overseeing security at the upcoming G7 leaders summit in Alberta are expecting large protests but plan to make sure they stay peaceful.

That includes livestreaming some of the sites to Kananaskis, where leaders from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the European Union will meet from June 15 to 17.

“These three designated G7 demonstration zones will have live audio and video feeds, which will be broadcast to G7 leaders and delegations at the site of the summit in Kananaskis,” said RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall at a media briefing Monday.

“People who want to express themselves, as is their right, can’t get close to the leaders, so the leaders won’t see and hear the protests. So by establishing that video link, we are helping facilitate that Charter access.”

Hall said teams have been reaching out to protest groups to clarify their intentions.

He said protests are legal and every effort will be made to ensure they are given their right to express themselves.

Joe Brar, the G7 event security director from Calgary police, said the city has protests every single weekend and it will continue throughout the summer.

“G7 puts Calgary on a global stage so we expect that to draw more protesters as well,” Brar said.