A bike ride by the G7 security cordon
KANANASKIS, Alta. — It's an odd thing to be asked your business in your own country, in your own province, in an area where you've spent plenty of time hiking and climbing and skiing.
Article content
A place where the whole purpose is to be free — or at least freer than in the city.
Article content
Article content
You expect these questions going through customs or at checkpoints in less salubrious parts of the world. But not necessarily out on a gravel backroad in Kananaskis, Alta.
Article content
Of course, with the G7 in town starting Sunday and a massive security operation restricting access to huge swathes of the backcountry, it's a matter of routine. So, not unexpected, but still vaguely unsettling, to be stopped and warned by the RCMP where you're not allowed to go and asked what you're about.
Article content
Kananaskis Village is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and the meeting of seven of the most powerful people in the world will occur at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain lodge. Motorcades will travel from the Calgary International Airport, along the Trans Canada Highway and down Highway 40, also known as the Kananaskis Trail, to get world leaders to the summit.
Article content
The location means that there is a massive security cordon set through the area backcountry. A stretch of Highway 40 is fully closed. And the security perimeter runs through miles of wild country, with many backcountry hikes shut down.
Article content
When I set out with my bike Saturday morning, that meant I had to traverse a gravel backroad to arrive at Highway 40, for just a 15 kilometre stretch from the intersection of Highway 742 and Highway 40 before I butted up against the checkpoint set for the G7.
Article content
Article content
Coming in from Canmore, roughly an hour drive on the gravel Smith Dorrien Trail, there were a handful of security checkpoints en route. Mounties asked where I was going and what I had planned, reminding me that hikes along the eastern slopes of the mountains in the region were closed. They seemed vaguely unclear on what I would be allowed to do with my bike, though I'd previously checked with Alberta Parks, so I was fairly sure I had it right.
Article content
Article content
As an aside, when I phoned Alberta Parks last week, the call began with a recorded message about cancelling reservations in K-Country, suggesting that a good number of tourists had trips planned and backed out when they discovered they wouldn't be able to do what they wanted.
Article content
At other points, police and conservation officers had electric bikes on standby, along with the odd ATV. Mostly, police were just lounging around, drinking coffee in camp chairs. Given that everyone's aware that there's limited access to the backcountry, it was a quiet drive. I saw only a handful of civilian vehicles on the drive out there. The parking lot of Chester Lake, a popular (and easy) hike trafficked by tourists, sat empty but for some security.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
No train service into Toronto along Stouffville GO line this weekend: Metrolinx
A woman walks along a platform beside a GO train at Toronto's Union Station on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Anyone hoping to travel into downtown Toronto from the Stouffville area this weekend will have to make some adjustments. Metrolinx says there will be no GO Train service along the Stouffville Line starting Friday night after the end of service and lasting until Monday morning at the start of service. The transit agency says the service is being suspended to 'accommodate critical track work that will bring faster, more frequent service across the network.' In place of the train, Metrolinx says GO buses will stop at Old Elm, Stouffville, Mount Joy, Markham, Centennial, and Unionville GO stations, before running express to the Union Station bus terminal. There will also be no GO Transit service at the Milliken, Agincourt, and Kennedy stations this weekend. Metrolinx says anyone needing those stops is 'encouraged to use the TTC.'
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Weekend preview: Windsor-Essex events June 20-22
Here's a list of what's happening from June 20-22, 2025, according to the Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island website. Do you have an event to add? Email us at ctvwindsorweb@ Carrousel of the Nations Friday June 20 to Sunday June 22 The award-winning Carrousel of the Nations returns! Amherstburg Ribfest Friday June 20 to Sunday June 22 It's official! The Amherstburg Ribfest is back in 2025! Rose City Romance Conference Friday June 20 to Sunday June 22 Book Lovers, This Is for You! A Summer Solstice Event Friday June 204:00 pm to 9:00 pm Let's celebrate the summer solstice, which marks the day in which the sun is at its highest elevation and summer truly begins! Amherstburg Night Market Friday June 205:00 pm to 10:00 pm Join us every Friday this summer for the Amherstburg Night Market - part of Open Air Weekends in downtown Amherstburg Friday Night Lights Bike Ride Friday June 20 6:30 pm Enjoy the sight of colourfully lit cyclists roll through the streets, bells clacking, as they partake in a pub crawl on two wheels appropriately named Friday Night Lights and always try to outdo each other with their decorations on each ride. Sacred Women's Circle Friday June 206:30 pm to 9:30 pm My Women's Healing Circle is not just a group; it's a transformational journey. Lakeshore Summer Parks Concert Series: Lakeview Park – Richard Janik Friday June 207:00 pm to 8:30 pm Join Lakeshore for an incredible lineup of musicians and musical acts, coming to a park near you! The Roots Take Centre Stage in The Colosseum Friday June 20 8:00 pm One of the world's greatest musical outfits, The Roots hit Caesars Windsor for a legendary performance on The Colosseum stage Grand Evolution: The Best of Styx and Journey Friday June 208:00 pm to 10:00 pm Experience the golden age of arena rock with GRAND EVOLUTION, a high-energy tribute to the iconic sounds of STYX and JOURNEY, delivered by five world-class musicians. British Beat 66 at the Tecumseh Bourbon Friday June 209:00 pm to 9:30 pm British Beat 66 will be rockin right here in picturesque Tecumseh. Join us for a wild evening. 519-956-9888 Family Fun Dark Sky Nights – Point Pelee National Park Saturday June 21 See Point Pelee National Park, after hours! Share Artisan The Thrifted Garden Flea Market Saturday June 21 to Sunday June 22 Join us for The Thrifted Garden Flea Market at Anna's Garden Home and Wellness! Downtown Windsor Farmer's Market Saturday June 219:00 am to 2:00 pm At the Downtown Windsor Farmers' Market you'll find farm fresh fruit, vegetables, produce and unique artisan food products from the best our area has to offer. Summer Kick Off Market Saturday June 21 to Sunday June 22 Start your summer off right at our Summer Kick Off Market! Celebrate Lavender Bloom Saturday June 21 to Monday June 23 This year, we're shining the spotlight on LAVENDER in all its pure simplicity. We're going Back to Our Roots. WIFF Presents: Women of WIFF Weekend Saturday June 21 to Monday June 23 In June, WIFF will celebrate the Women of WIFF initiative with a special weekend of film screenings. Pollinator Days Saturday June 2111:00 am to 4:00 pm Join us for crafts, guided hikes and lots of learning! Arts & Culture Philippine Independence Day Fiesta Saturday June 2111:30 am to 11:00 pm A cultural experience with edge, flavor, and generational soul. Essex Centre StreetFest Saturday June 2112:00 pm to 5:00 pm Essex Centre StreetFest is a vibrant outdoor community event designed to bring together local businesses, artisans, food vendors, and entertainers for a fun-filled day in downtown Essex. Cars for a Cause x Oneday Dreams Charity Car Show Saturday June 211:00 pm to 5:00 pm A truly phenomenal line up of cars! Kingsville Block Party Summer Solstice (Cottam) Saturday June 215:00 pm to 10:00 pm Join us the third Saturday of each month through the summer for our community block parties. St. Elmos Fire Dinner and A Movie Saturday June 216:00 pm to 10:00 pm Enjoy a screening of St Elmo's Fire 90's Retro Party Cruise Saturday June 218:00 pm to 11:00 pm Enjoy a fun cruise by Windsor Premier Cruises! Entertainment Patio Party & Comedy at Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill! Saturday June 218:30 pm to 10:00 pm We are bringing the comedy to the Sidelines patio on Saturday June 21st! Come join us on the patio for laughs, drinks, food & fun! Concerts Sunday Sounds – Oxley Estate Winery Sunday June 22 Sunday Sounds is back this May at Oxley! Windsor Assembly's Cars & Coffee Sunday June 229:00 am to 1:00 pm Windsor Assembly's Cars & Coffee, celebrating Chrysler's 100 years in Canada. Come on out on June 22nd from 9am to 3pm to enjoy the car show. The public portion of the event will have the car show and the back half will be a local vendors market. We will be collecting $10 per car for the car show and all proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Transportation Museum. We will be shutting down Chrysler Centre again this year, that's where the car show and vendors will be. Cars must enter from Tecumseh Rd. because all other streets will be... Pints and Poses – Yoga Classes at the Brewery Sunday June 22 10:00 am Stretch and sip! Check out yoga classes at the brewery! Free Bike Safety Day at Point Peele National Park Sunday June 2211:00 am to 1:00 pm This free event provides fun and interactive stations designed to orient young riders with bike safety and education Board Game Sunday Sunday June 222:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sundays are the ultimate fundays at North 42 Degrees Estate Winery! Music Bingo Trivia at Walkerville Brewery Sunday June 225:00 pm to 7:00 pm Join us for Music Bingo Trivia Sunday, June 22nd at 5pm with your host Mack Flash Entertainment. A night filled with a little bit of bingo, a little bit of trivia and a whole lot of music!
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Visit Ottawa Pass: Here's how you can checkout 5 Ottawa attractions for $100 this summer
A family takes a photo in front of the "Ottawa" sign in the ByWard Market on Victoria Day weekend. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa) Ottawa Tourism is inviting residents and visitors to checkout museums and other attractions in the capital this summer for just $100. The Visit Ottawa Pass was announced on Friday, a pass for $100 that allows adults to choose five out of 14 top attractions and activities to visit in Ottawa this summer. There is also a special summer package that allows children ages 17 and under to enjoy the same experiences for free with the purchase of an adult pass. 'The Visit Ottawa Pass – a new initiative that builds on the success of previous passes that is designed to enhance the visitor experience and drive tourism growth across the region,' Ottawa Tourism said. The Visit Ottawa Pass will also provide additional savings at select restaurants, attractions and shops across Ottawa. According to the Ottawa Tourism website, the Visit Ottawa Pass is valid for a single admission to five attractions and experiences, is valid for 72 hours after the first use and must be used on three consecutive days within 60 days from the date of purchase. 'There truly is no better time to visit Ottawa than the summer of 2025, with the myriad of free experiences for kids on offer through both passes, making Ottawa more affordable, value-driven, and responsive to the heightened interest in Canadian identity than ever before,' Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, said in a statement. 'Ottawa's visitor economy is entering a new era of growth and opportunity. With strong leadership, a clear vision, and the support of our members and partners, we're well-positioned to grow our impact by attracting major events and marketing our destination to more potential visitors in 2025.' The Visit Ottawa Pass will complement the Canada Strong Pass, which will offer free access to Ottawa's seven national museums for youth ages 17 and under. Youth ages 18 to 24 can get 50 per cent off admission fees at the seven national museums in Ottawa. 'We were quite happy the Canada Strong Pass announced earlier this week, because we do think that our pass complements the Canada Strong Pass very well,' Jerome Miousse, director of public affairs at Ottawa Tourism, told CTV News Ottawa Friday afternoon. 'Our pass gives access for $100 to choose five out of 14 restaurants, attractions, tours. It makes the best summer ever for families to come visit Ottawa.' Miousse says with surveys showing Canadians are more interested in exploring their country instead of travelling to the United States, Ottawa Tourism will 'try to capitalize on that.' 'That is what the Visit Ottawa Pass is for.' Here is the list of participating attractions and tours for the Visit Ottawa Pass. Bytown Museum Canada Agriculture and Food Museum Canada Aviation and Space Museum Canada Science and Technology Museum Canadian Museum of History Canadian Museum of Nature Canadian War Museum National Gallery of Canada Parc Omega Royal Canadian Mint (free tour) The Haunted Walk/Hidden InSite City Tours Water Taxi Eh – Unlimited day use of the water taxi that travels between Ontario and Quebec BeaverTails ByWard Market – Choose from one of three iconic BeaverTails pastry flavours Zack's Diner – receive a free milkshake The Visit Ottawa Pass also unlocks deals and discounts at attractions, restaurants and experiences. Some of the offers include:
