The Calgary Police Service has expressed confidence in their security preparations for the three G7 protest zones at City Hall, at Enoch Park, and at the airport’s Edward H. Laborde Viewing Area.
Those sites were identified to both Calgary city council and to Calgary Police Commission as the designated protest zones for the upcoming conference of world leaders.
Addressing questions from LWC on May 29, interim Chief Katie McLellan said that the risks from protests have been examined.
“Those risks have been identified in and around all of those areas, as well as additional areas. We have identified what we potentially think might and may happen, and we are confident that we have mitigated all of those risks, particularly with respect to infrastructure,” she said.
Enoch Park, located along Macleod Trail and 12 Avenue SW, is also the site of the temporary Pixel Park installation.
That site contains Tesla superchargers, a brand that has seen protests across North America, including in Calgary, for its connection to CEO Elon Musk.
Superintendent Sheldon Scott, Event Security Director for the Calgary Police Service, said in his presentation to Calgary Police Commission that two of the protest locations will be live-streamed to the G7 conference.
“We’re encouraging people, if they’re going to protest or demonstrate, to take advantage of the demonstration zones that are set up. The fortunate part about the demonstration zones that are set up here downtown, they will be live-streamed back to the summit. So, there will be an opportunity for them to be viewed by the leaders,” Scott said.
“We want to share that you’re safe, when you’re providing that message or that demonstration, that law enforcement will be there to ensure that you’re safe while you’re provided that opportunity to do that.”
As to whether or not the live streams would have the potential to attract individuals wanting to use the live stream to cause violence or any other type of illegal behaviour, Chief Katie McLellan said that the service was confident in its ability to address any challenges.
“We continue to have subject matter experts engaged in all of those activities, we continue to gather intelligence, we’re plugged into many, many partners, and we’re confident that that we know what’s coming in, and we know how to address it, and we know how to mitigate.”
The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, in a statement, said that Pixel Park would continue to be operated and programmed during the G7, including continuing access to the electric vehicle chargers.
“The City’s corporate security teams and CPS manage any activity at the designated protest zone at Enoch Park. Maintenance of the chargers is handled by Tesla, so we’re working with them to ensure they’re aware of the moving pieces related to G7,” the release said.
Risks being assessed beyond G7 protest zones for Calgarians
Additional no-stopping zones surrounding the airport along Aero Drive NE and on 36 Street NE will be enforced during the G7.
Supt. Scott said that the Airport Tunnel will also be closed, as a result of risk assessments. That tunnel travels directly under the YYC north/south runway.
“Expect some delays as you will not be able to access the tunnel. You’re going to have to add a little bit of drive time for you to go around,” he said.
“Also, in addition to that, a very big draw, with these aircraft coming in, increased military jet fighters, everything will be out, so it draws the attention of the average person or Calgarian who wants to see it. We’re communicating with them there are no stopping zones up at the airport, again due to safety risks.”
Chief McLellan said the number of officers that will be assigned to G7 activities during the conference period would be changing from day to day.
“We do understand that people are anxious and want to have those questions answered, and trust me and be assured that we will give those in due time. As we said, when this event is over, we will be committed to giving all those numbers.”
