The coming summit in Kananaskis will break the cycle of violence experienced during past high-level political meetings, vows the head of the G8 Summit Management Office.
The city is “so much more prepared than anyone has ever been for this kind of international meeting,” SMO director Bev Longstaff told a business luncheon in Calgary last week.
While sometimes-violent street protests have dominated past events in Seattle and Genoa, Longstaff says Calgary’s activist community is different. “The activist community is pretty large, but the anarchistic community in our area is not the same as it is in Europe,” she said.
International leaders and their delegations begin arriving in Calgary in less than two weeks for the June 26-27 summit. Police preparations have already reached a fever pitch in anticipation of protesters, while local businesses are being advised to be vigilant of passing parades and are being given tips on how to deal with pepper spray or tear gas released near their premises.
“Security for these kinds of events is always pretty intense anyway,” said Longstaff. “But that really changed after Sept. 11. There has been a real effort to ensure that this summit is guarded against anyone who has some sort of violent intent.”
City officials have refused to issue a permit to activists to set up a “Solidarity Village” for a music and education festival, saying park spaces are no place for camping.
Activists are planning to hold a counter-summit June 21-25 at the University of Calgary. The G6B (Group of Six Billion) People’s Summit, sponsored by the Alberta-based International Society for Peace and Human Rights, will feature Stephen Lewis as the keynote speaker followed by a vigil and workshops throughout the following four days.
In Kananaskis, a 6.5-kilometre no-go “blue zone” has been set up surrounding Kananaskis Village, and motorists will be escorted through if necessary. A no-fly zone of 80 nautical miles will also be in place. “This is the biggest and longest no-fly zone that has been in effect in our country, and that really is a result of Sept. 11. No chances at all are being taken with the safety and security of all of us, not just the leaders gathering,” Longstaff said.
She praised the conduct of protesters at a recent meeting of international environment ministers in Banff, noting that of the 93 activists who showed up, “not one person even stepped off the sidewalk.”
“It was pretty amazing. And I really do believe that’s because of the work that was undertaken” by police forces in advance, she added.
Alberta’s tourism and business communities are also anticipating a financial windfall of sorts because of the summit. A report released by Tourism Calgary estimates a total economic impact of $193.1 million for the Calgary region and $243.5 million for the province.
The study shows the summit is expected to support about 1,500 equivalent full-year jobs within the region and 1,800 across Alberta, generating more than $20 million in tax revenue.
“This is the most significant event to come to Calgary and area since the 1988 Winter Olympics,” said Joe Fardell, president and CEO of Tourism Calgary.
Up to 2,000 international media are expected to descend on Calgary, and will be feted along with delegates at a giant party at the Stampede grounds.
