As Calgary prepares to host the upcoming G7 Summit, there’s a palpable tension growing in our downtown core. Walking through Stephen Avenue yesterday, I noticed an increased security presence already taking shape, with uniformed officers conducting preliminary sweeps of key areas.
The summit, still months away, has already sparked conversations about potential protests similar to those we witnessed during the 2002 Kananaskis meeting. Back then, an estimated 2,000 demonstrators gathered in Calgary while world leaders met safely tucked away in the mountains.
“We’re anticipating significant public expression during the G7,” Deputy Chief Chad Tawfik told me during a brief exchange at City Hall last week. “Our primary goal is ensuring both public safety and protecting the democratic right to peaceful protest.”
The Calgary Police Service has been working on security preparations for months, coordinating with the RCMP and international security teams. Sources within CPS indicate the security budget could exceed $100 million, though official figures haven’t been released.
What makes this G7 particularly challenging is the changing nature of protests in the digital age. Unlike 2002, today’s demonstrations are often organized through encrypted messaging apps and can mobilize quickly through social media.
“Livestreaming has become a critical tool for both protesters and police,” explains Dr. Maria Kingsley, professor of political science at Mount Royal University. “It creates accountability but also raises concerns about privacy and potential escalation when footage goes viral.”
Local business owners along the expected protest routes are understandably concerned. Jennifer Ramsay, who owns a café on 7th Avenue, shared her worries: “We support free expression, but after seeing what happened in Toronto in 2010, there’s real anxiety about property damage and lost revenue.”
The city’s emergency management team has been holding information sessions with downtown businesses, advising on preparedness and potential disruption mitigation. These meetings have been well-attended, reflecting the community’s desire to be proactive.
For many Calgarians, the memory of the 2002 protests remains vivid. The police response then was generally praised for maintaining order without the heavy-handed tactics seen at other international summits. But the world has changed dramatically in two decades.
“The geopolitical landscape is far more volatile today,” notes former diplomat Richard Thornton, who worked security during the Kananaskis summit. “The protest movements are more diverse, the grievances more complex, and the potential for conflict arguably higher.”
City officials have designated specific areas for demonstrations, hoping to channel protest activity away from the most sensitive security zones. This approach has worked in some previous host cities but failed spectacularly in others.
What’s particularly interesting is how Calgary’s approach differs from previous G7 hosts. Rather than pushing protesters to distant “free speech zones,” the current plan appears to acknowledge the legitimacy of public demonstration while maintaining necessary security buffers.
The economic impact of the summit is expected to be substantial, with hotels already booking up and local contractors securing work related to the event. However, some downtown retailers fear they may need to close during peak protest days, creating financial strain.
As a community, we’re navigating competing interests: our city’s international reputation, security requirements, economic benefits, and the fundamental right to peaceful assembly. The balance won’t be perfect, but the transparent planning process so far suggests lessons have been learned from previous summits.
For those planning to participate in demonstrations, Calgary Police have emphasized that most protest activities will remain legal and protected, though they’re preparing for a small percentage of participants who may engage in property damage or confrontation.
“We’ve been training specifically for de-escalation,” a senior officer told me on condition of anonymity. “The goal is to isolate problematic individuals without criminalizing legitimate protest.”
Local advocacy groups have already announced plans to livestream all major demonstrations, creating an independent record of both protest activities and police response. This transparent approach could help prevent misunderstandings and provide accountability for all parties.
As we move closer to the summit, Calgarians should expect more information sessions, increased security measures, and a growing public conversation about how our city will manage this global spotlight. The success of the event will be measured not just by the diplomatic outcomes, but by how well we balance security with our democratic values.
