'Remote terrain of Kananaskis' presents unique challenges for G7 security operation
Backcountry patrols will be conducted to prevent human-wildlife encounters
With the G7 leaders' summit coming to Kananaskis in less than two weeks, preparations are well underway for what has been described as "the largest domestic security operation" a country can take on.
During a media briefing on Monday, reporters were told by the Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) that the task force is currently in the process of bringing in personnel and setting up camps ahead of the summit, which takes place from June 15 to 17.
While ongoing preparations have drawn inspiration from previous high-stakes security operations like the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2018 G7 leaders' summit in Charlevoix, Que., the unique challenges posed by the Kananaskis wilderness require special considerations.
"The remote terrain of Kananaskis adds to the complexity of the operation," said Canadian Armed Forces Brig.-Gen. Liam Wade Rutland, commander of the joint task force.
"Our immediate focus is on environmental familiarization, getting to know the terrain, our partners, and [understanding] the unique conditions of the area we're working in," he said.
Encompassed within the Bow Valley's expansive forests, the Kananaskis controlled access zone in effect from June 10 to 18 presents risks such as weather, wildfires and encounters with wildlife.
RCMP chief superintendent and ISSG event security director David Hall told reporters that "the potential that we may need to evacuate the summit site" has been taken into account, but that "maybe the summit itself [is] not of concern" when it comes to wildfires.
"I would just say that all of our respective agencies are mindful of the wildfire threat nationally and how that may draw resources from the security partners to support evacuations like we're seeing in Manitoba or Saskatchewan right now, or parts of Alberta," he said.
"All I'll say is our resourcing strategy for all of our agencies took that into account."
Backcountry patrols, wildlife monitoring
Wildlife, on the other hand, is being actively monitored to prevent interactions between humans and animals, with security personnel undergoing what Rutland called "numerous scenario-based exercises" involving wildlife encounters.
Alberta Forestry and Parks superintendent Bryan Sundberg said personnel will be "conducting wildlife patrols and backcountry patrols" before and during the summit.
Sundberg said the team will be looking to prevent wild animals, "especially the bears in the area," from getting too close to people. When the G8 leaders' summit was held in Kananaskis in 2002, a bear was tranquilized and inadvertently killed.
"Our collective approach to wildlife mitigation is proactive and grounded in subject matter expertise," he said, adding that attractants such as food are being managed to avoid negative interactions with wild animals.
Sundberg said officers will be deployed outdoors 24 hours a day, and that field personnel are being given wilderness safety training, including how to use bear spray, to protect both officers and wildlife.
"Alongside our partners, Alberta Sheriffs are using real-time monitoring tools and on-the-ground patrols to track wildlife movement near the summit venues," said Sundberg.
He said personnel from multiple agencies will be patrolling the backcountry to monitor not only wildlife but also human activity.
"Our officers know the local trails, the terrain, the environment, and how people that use the area typically behave and interact in and along the trails and in the area," said Sundberg. "This key local knowledge helps keep the overall operation safe and efficient."
"Officers will be out in the field, on the trails and at key locations and checkpoints where people might be hiking or working to provide guidance and advice to those recreationalists in the areas, and how we could avoid and lessen their impact," said Sundberg.
Rutland emphasized that "environmental stewardship" has been top of mind for the ISSG throughout the planning process.
"We recognize that Kananaskis is a national treasure and we're committed to mitigating and minimizing our impact, leaving the area in a pristine condition," he said. "This includes all our management plans and remediation of the area."
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With files from Acton Clarkin