Banff Locals: What We Learned at the G7 Info Session

What’s Happening? We attended the G7 info session in Banff and took notes so you don’t have to. Here’s a breakdown of the must-know updates ahead of the June 15–17 summit.

No Protests on Day 1. The official protest zone—at Fenlands Rec Centre—will only be available June 16–17. Nothing is planned for June 15, though police expect most protests to happen in Calgary. Demonstrators aren’t required to use the zone, but blocking roads or highways won’t fly.

Roads & Access. Norquay Road (critical for hospital access) will remain open with managed traffic. St. Julien Road and Tunnel Mountain Trailhead parking will be closed during the summit.

Tourist Tips. Visiting mid-June? Avoid the Controlled Access Zone in Kananaskis, use public transit, and keep plans flexible. Town officials expect heavier-than-usual congestion but say it’ll still be a great time to visit—if you plan ahead.

Protest Visibility Concerns. One local raised concerns that the designated protest zone is tucked away and lacks visibility—meaning protest messages might go unheard. She suggested placing a screen in Central Park to livestream protest speeches. RCMP hadn’t considered it but said they’d take the idea back to their team.

Wildlife & Elk Season. Several residents noted that Norquay Road—right by the protest site—is a hotspot for elk during calving season. Organizers confirmed Alberta Parks and Fish & Wildlife will be on-site to manage wildlife interactions and reduce conflict.

Zero Waste & Wildlife Corridor. While there’s no formal conservation legacy project this year, organizers are partnering with local groups to remove buffaloberries (aka bear food) in high-risk zones. The summit is also aiming to become the first G7 to achieve zero-waste certification.

See Something, Say Something. One of the evening’s key messages: report anything that seems off. Locals and visitors are encouraged to flag suspicious behaviour to the RCMP. You can find full details here.

Want More Info? For more details, maps, and official updates, check out the Town of Banff’s G7 resource page.