Security ramps up, protesters gather as world leaders land in Calgary for start of G7 summit

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The demonstration interfered with Calgary fire responses, according to Calgary police: 'We've been made aware that two calls for service for Calgary Fire Department were impacted by the demonstration,' CPS wrote on social media.
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By 3:15 p.m., all roads in downtown had reopened and demonstrators had returned to City Hall, according to CPS.
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Calgary police warned all road users to be mindful of motorcades in Calgary and area throughout the duration of the G7 summit.
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The City of Calgary is warning drivers to expect road closures and delays around the Calgary International Airport and downtown core as leaders and delegates arrive for the summit.
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The airport tunnel is closed until June 18, meaning commuters from northeast Calgary will need to find alternate routes. The off-ramp from 19th Street to eastbound Airport Trail N.E. is also closed during this period, though the rest of Airport Trail remains open.
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A security checkpoint has been set up at the north end of McCall Way N.E., restricting access to airport employees and business traffic only.
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Meanwhile in Banff, visitors and locals noticed an influx of security in the mountain town by Sunday.
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Despite excitement from some around the G7, the town itself wasn't any busier than usual, according to one tourist.
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'I've seen Banff a lot busier than this . . . I've been here almost five, six times,' said Joanne Morgan, who was visiting Banff with her two sisters from Ireland.
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Patrick O'Connor, who works in Banff, said the crowds have been normal for this time of year, despite the exciting potential of world leaders visiting Banff.
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Vancouver Sun

7 hours ago

• Vancouver Sun

Banff National Park: What to know, how to get there, and when to visit

Note: On Thursday, June 19, 2025, a rock slide occurred near Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park. As of Friday, two hikers had been reported dead , while others were believed to be injured. Emergency services remain on scene searching for other survivors. Those planning to travel in the area should check for updates before heading out, adhere to all local directives, and ensure you're prepared with outdoor safety equipment. For those looking to keep their travel north of the border this summer, you might consider Banff National Park. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Travel Time will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The area is a picturesque experience, iconic for its postcard views no matter which way you turn and the crisp mountain air you can only find in the Rockies. Here's what you need to know about visiting Banff National Park. Banff National Park is Canada's first national park and the 'flagship of the nation's park system,' according to the federal government. Banff was established in the 1880s to draw tourists to the area, unlike many of the other mountain towns that grew from mining settlements. A number of natural hot springs nearby discovered by railway workers quickly drew increased tourist attention and spurred the government to designate the area a reserve to protect the springs. The reserve quickly grew and was later renamed Banff National Park. Today, Banff, and the nearby Lake Louise, has become a world-renowned destination and in 1984, Banff National Park was declared a part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is popular with both local and international visitors, whether seeking a hotel getaway or a camping excursion. By car: Banff is about a 9-hour drive east of Vancouver, or a 1.5-hour drive west of Calgary. While the TransCanada highway is open year-round, it does wind through the Rockies and can be intimidating for some drivers. During the winters, road conditions may be slick and during the summers, there may be wildfire alerts along the route. By shuttle / plane: You can also reach Banff by flying into Calgary International Airport and then taking a shuttle. There are a number of shuttle companies that will pick up from the airport and drop you off in Banff. You can also look up shuttle and tour companies that will depart from the Vancouver area. Some shuttle companies you can look into include ABest Transport and Tour Services , Alpine Limousine & Tours , Banff Airporter , Banff Sedan , Brewster Express , Discover Banff Tours , Mountain Park Transportation and Banff Chauffeur . By train: The Banff area is also serviced by the Rocky Mountaineer train. There is regularly scheduled train service from April through October that start or finish in Banff. Banff has a wide of accommodations, no matter what you're looking for. Lodgings in the area range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, from family-friendly cabins to intimate bed and breakfast cottages, and even campgrounds. For suggestions on where to stay, visit the Banff & Lake Louise accommodations page where you'll find options for every budget and need . Ride the Banff Gondola. To get a unique view of the Rockies, consider hopping on board the Banff Gondola. The eight-minute ride takes you up 700 metres, delivering you to the very peak of Sulphur Mountain where you can take in a meal and enjoy a short hike. The outing takes between 1 to 3 hours and offers a breathtaking view of the surroundings. Get outdoors. There's no shortage of trails of varying levels of difficulty for hikers, and there's plenty of ways to get out on the water. You can also explore the area on bike, by horseback, or even go climbing and caving. No matter how you get outside, just make sure that you do. In the winter, you can ski or snowboard, go snowshoeing or skating, tubing or even try dogsledding! Visit Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. If you've seen a postcard of Banff, chances are you've seen the crystal blue waters of Moraine Lake or Lake Louise. The reflection of the sky on the water's surface on a blue-sky day is certainly worth the journey — but you'll want to make sure you make the trek early. Both lakes are popular with visitors and can often get crowded later into the day. Check out a family-friendly attraction. Travelling with kids? There's plenty to keep them entertained, including the Golden Skybridge , hot springs, the Glacier Skywalk , or any number of museums and historic sites. Some of those include the Banff Park Museum National Historic Site , the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum , the Cave and Basin National Historic Site , or the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies . (Don't forget that admission for kids and young adults to national parks and national historic sites are free or discounted this summer 2025 !) Depends on what you'd like to do: If you're looking to explore outdoors in warm weather, your best bet is to visit between June to October. Those seeking winter activities should visit from late February to early March for the best snow conditions. Depends on if you like crowds: Hoping to avoid crowds? Any time beside July and August should do the trick, as those are considered peak summer seasons for the Banff area. Depends on if you like heat: July and August are generally the warmest months of the year for Banff, so if you can't sweat it but you want warm weather, consider a bit earlier in the spring and summer. Depends on if you like a cosy cardigan: September and October are a beautiful time of year to make the drive to Banff, with leaves turning to autumn colours. Prices will generally come down a bit too, as peak season winds down. sip@

Global News

10 hours ago

• Global News

WestJet says cyberattack remains unresolved 1 week in, but operations not impacted

WestJet says a cyberattack that began last week remains unresolved, as questions linger about the nature and fallout of the breach. The country's second-largest airline says it is working to assess whether sensitive data or customers' personal information was compromised after hackers accessed its internal systems. An online advisory says the attack, which was detected late last week, has not affected operations but that some customers may run into 'intermittent interruptions or errors' on WestJet's website and app. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Spokesman Josh Yeats says investigations in collaboration with law enforcement are ongoing, but the company has not specified the type of the incident, such as a malware or ransomware attack. The breach at the Alberta-based airline arrived just ahead of foreign leaders, who gathered last weekend for the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., though no direct link to the event has been identified. Story continues below advertisement Airlines and airports have become increasingly popular prey for hackers, as their troves of personal and financial data and global reach make for tempting targets.

CTV News

a day ago

• CTV News

Competition Bureau pushes for air travel changes as passengers face high costs and limited choice

Canadians appear on a "YYC" sign at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alta., Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh) A new report from Canada's Competition Bureau has called for significant reforms aimed at increasing competition in the domestic airline market, reducing airfare prices, and reining in government powers that could hinder a truly competitive environment. The news is promising for airline passengers like Kelsey Wokke who says she just spent $1,000 for a roundtrip flight between Vancouver and Calgary. 'That's absolutely crazy to me,' she said. 'So yes I do think there should be more competition in Canada's airline prices.' 'It's also interesting how if you look at the cost breakdown of your ticket, just how much of it isn't going to your actual flight and directly into airport fees instead. So finding ways to put that money elsewhere would be nice.' Released Thursday, the Competition Bureau's report on the air travel industry advocates for a 'leverage (of) international capital and experience to strengthen domestic competition,' including through raised ownership caps for investors outside Canada. Some of the highlights include recommending major reforms to rebalance the playing field. Among them: raising the cap for foreign ownership of airlines from 25 per cent to 49 per cent, and creating a new class of 'domestic-only Canadian airlines' that could be 100 per cent foreign-owned—a model already in use in Australia. Passengers bear the burden of fees The Competition Bureau also advocated for the Canadian aviation system to make changes to its 'user-pay' model, in which airlines and passengers cover the full costs of building and operating airports and navigation services. These fees account for 30 cents of every dollar passengers pay on traditional full-service airlines, and an even higher share on ultra-low-cost carriers. The breakdown includes: Fuel tax: 1 per cent Air travelers security charge: 3 per cent Nav Canada air navigation charges: 5 per cent Airport landing, terminal, and operational fees: 20 per cent Competition commissioner Matthew Boswell argues this fee structure disproportionately impacts travelers and new market entrants, adding to the challenge of fostering a more competitive and affordable domestic airline market. 'With the right policy changes, governments can create the conditions for new airlines to grow and compete – and give Canadians access to more affordable, reliable options for flights.' Independent aviation analyst Rick Erickson called the report one of the most thorough he's seen, but warned that 'we've heard this before.' 'The structural problem is we don't have enough secondary airports, which stifles new entrants,' he said. 'And the fee structure is nuts—aviation pays more than 100 per cent of its costs. Marine pays 10 per cent, Via Rail gets a subsidy, but aviation gets punished.' Erickson supports the idea of loosening foreign ownership rules. 'We've got to allow more entrants into the market. Full stop.' Nine per cent decrease in airfare for every new competitor added Research from the Competition Bureau shows that when just one new competitor flies on a route between two cities, airfares go down by nine per cent on average. Currently, two airlines—Air Canada and WestJet—handle between 56 and 78 per cent of domestic passenger traffic at Canada's major airports. Over time, they have divided the market geographically, with Air Canada dominating the east and WestJet the west, leading to diminished competition between them, the report notes. The Competition Bureau identifies part of the problem as a restrictive regulatory environment that limits international competitors. Restrictions on non-Canadian airlines operating domestic flights, along with caps on foreign investment, have hindered new and smaller players from entering the market—restrictions the Bureau believes could be eased to foster greater competition. Balanced regulation and consumer protection Gabor Lukacs, President of Air Passenger Rights, welcomed the report's push to reduce government intervention that has historically hindered competition. 'We are pleased that the Competition Bureau adopted our position on opening up domestic air travel to foreign competition and improving transparency around subsidies for remote routes,' Lukacs said. 'Importantly, the report recommends curtailing the minister's ability to override expert decisions on anti-competitive agreements between airlines. This creates a necessary balance between political interests and consumer protections.' Lukacs also highlighted challenges with the current Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), which airlines have frequently contested, driving up costs. 'The APPR has been a failure by design. Airlines complicate the claims process and litigate legitimate passenger complaints, inflating administrative costs,' he explained. 'The solution is to simplify the regulations, following the European gold standard, where passengers can quickly determine compensation eligibility and airlines comply with the law. We want profitable airlines that respect consumer rights, not those that profit by breaking the law.' 090324_flair Flair Airlines Captain Ken Symonds inspects the outside of one of the company's Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Source: The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck) Opportunity in increased competition: Flair Eric Tanner, VP Commercial at Calgary-based Flair Airlines, welcomed the Competition Bureau's report but stressed that government action is essential. 'We know how difficult it is to compete in Canada's aviation market, dominated by entrenched legacy carriers, with high costs making travel more expensive than elsewhere,' Tanner said. He criticized the current 'user-pay' airport model and lack of oversight, noting, 'Airports here cost much more than in other parts of the world, and fees are unfairly structured to favour certain business models.' Tanner also highlighted that connecting passengers pay far less in fees than local travelers, calling this 'unacceptable,' and pointed out that Flair's customers often pay more in airport fees than those flying with Air Canada or WestJet. 'This report identifies the problems, but now we need government to turn these findings into policies that improve competition and make air travel more affordable for Canadians,' he said. Porter plane A Porter airplane lands in Toronto on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Porter Airlines and Air Transat are announcing a joint venture as the two carriers look to expand their range of destinations and tap into each other's markets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette 'Cautious support': Porter Porter Airlines highlighted its efforts to increase competition by expanding its fleet and route network across Canada since 2023. In an statement to CTV News, the airline says it 'sees value in several of the report's suggestions, such as opening international flights at Montreal Metropolitan Airport and exploring new aircraft technology at Billy Bishop Airport.' Porter supports raising foreign ownership limits to 49 per cent for a single shareholder but urges caution on broader foreign ownership and market access changes. The airline warns that allowing foreign carriers to operate domestic routes could disadvantage smaller airlines unless reciprocal access is guaranteed for Canadian airlines abroad—benefits that would mainly favor the largest, most established players. CTV News reached out to both WestJet and Air Canada for comment on the Competition Bureau's report and recommendations, but has not received a response.