Concerns raised with decision to put G7 demonstration zone in downtown Banff

Banff town officials are against the site picked as one of the spots for demonstrators to spread their message during the G7 Summit in June.

Officials with the Town of Banff are speaking out about against a plan to set up a demonstration zone for this spring’s G7 in the mountain town.

The 51st G7 summit will be held in Kananaskis, Alta., from June 15 to 17.

Security measures for the summit will see a large swath of the popular tourist area closed to the public as part of a so-called “controlled access zone.”

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Because the public won’t be allowed near the site of the summit itself, demonstration zones need to be set up for protestors.

One of those sites appears to be in Banff Central Park’s west parking lot on June 16 and 17.

Though Town Manager Kelly Gibson said in a statement to CTV News that it’s a “proposed location,” RCMP say the decision “has been made.”

Whether or not there’s any potential for the location to change, Gibson doesn’t like the idea of it going there, saying it will aggravate the traffic congestion issues that the town already works to alleviate, and it will create challenges for “residents, visitors and demonstrators alike.”

While Gibson said the town appreciates the efforts to facilitate freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest, the concern is there are more appropriate places where the demonstration zone could be located, specifically where G7 leaders would be able to “see and hear” their messages.

Gibson says media will be bused to the Kananaskis summit every day from Banff Centre, making the area extra congested.

“This will be a busy time for visitation, and people who are enticed to come here by a demonstration zone will face challenges with parking, accommodation, and they may never be seen by the leaders or media they want to reach,” Gibson said.

Though Gibson says the town has advised G7 organizers against a Banff demonstration zone from the start, they’re continuing to work with the RCMP on a solution.

“We are not fully involved in all factors of their decision, and we are hopeful that they consider other sites for effective protests,” Gibson said. “There is still time.”

“Our focus in working with the G7 Summit organizers is to ensure any activities in Banff are implemented in the best way possible that minimizes impact on Banff residents and visitors.”

‘We are listening’: RCMP respond

The RCMP unit in charge of policing for the G7 has responded to the town’s concerns, and says because the main media centre is based in Banff, it is expected that protesters will gather to “leverage media attention for their causes.”

“Establishing the designated demonstration zone in Banff helps maintain order while allowing peaceful protests to take place in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of disruptions to businesses and residents,” said the RCMP Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) in a statement.

“We understand that there are concerns about the designated demonstration zone within the downtown core; however, we must respect the right to peaceful protests.

“We are listening to concerns and are continuing discussions about the designated demonstration zone in Banff.”

The ISSG added it will be “working closely” with other law enforcement to manage traffic in the area and ensure “minimal disruption to local businesses and tourists.”

“Although we cannot restrict the movement of protesters, we will be installing a fence around the parking lot to clearly indicate the demonstration zone,” the ISSG said.

While the ISSG says no other designated demonstration zones are planned for the Bow Valley area, Calgary police “have yet to publicly confirm their designated demonstration zones.”