A host of world leaders will land in Calgary this weekend before making themselves at home in one of Canada’s prized natural gems for three days of discussion on economic instability, war, political relations and other matters of global importance at the G7 summit. Read More
Premium Alberta beef, Canadian seafood, local berries, foraged vegetables and regional cheeses are some of the items on the menu at the G7
Premium Alberta beef, Canadian seafood, local berries, foraged vegetables and regional cheeses are some of the items on the menu at the G7
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A host of world leaders will land in Calgary this weekend before making themselves at home in one of Canada’s prized natural gems for three days of discussion on economic instability, war, political relations and other matters of global importance at the G7 summit.
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Guests have already begun arriving at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain lodge, according to Elizabeth Hovey-Smith, the lodge’s general manager. For staff who have worked there for years, the next week will look quite different from the average work day.
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Security is tight for hotel staff hosting G7 leaders
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For one, a controlled access zone has been created around the property by the Integrated Safety and Security Group, a multi-agency team lead by the RCMP that includes the Calgary Police Service, Alberta Sheriffs, provincial conservation officers and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Anyone entering Kananaskis Country requires accreditation, with different levels of permission afforded to people depending on their roles and requirement to enter certain areas of the lodge, Hovey-Smith said.
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“Normally, to get into K-Country, all you need is to register your licence plate and pay for your conservation pass,” she said. “But now there are roadblocks.”
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Staff are shuttled from the Stoney Nakoda resort and pass through several security checkpoints. Employees who want to hike in the region have to drive outside the zone.
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Within the lodge, certain spots only allow certain employees, Hovey-Smith said.
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“I’m general manager, but that doesn’t mean I get to go everywhere, because I might not need to,” she said.
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“Certainly, that’s very different,” she said. “That’s not normal practice for us but very understandable, given the high-level conversations and people that are going to be attending.”
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This year’s summit, attended by leaders from Canada, U.S., Japan, France, Germany, Italy, France and the European Union — as well as invited guests from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, India, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Ukraine — will focus on topics around economic instability and the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
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Kananaskis is a global destination
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The lodge is no stranger to hosting events of this political significance; it hosted the G8 summit in 2002, one of three events since the lodge was taken over by the Pomeroy group that it has hosted an event that it was completely taken over by a client, according to Hovey-Smith.