Jets, military aircraft will be flying over Kananaskis between now and G7 Summit

Did a jet fly over your campsite this past weekend?

Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft will have an increased presence in the Kananaskis region as part of security efforts for the upcoming G7 Summit in June.

Preparations are expected to take place from early May to mid-June when the summit kicks off. The summit goes from June 15th to the 17th, with restrictions and road closures planned from the 10th to the 18th.

Summit venues in Kananaskis will be locked down with entry restricted to authorized personnel, residents and businesses, while some trails, day-use areas and local businesses will be closed.

Fraser Logan, a spokesman with the Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG), says Albertans and mountain visitors will notice CF-18 hornet jets, along with Chinook and Griffon helicopters, flying in formations and at low altitudes from now until the event.

However, he adds there will be limited restrictions to visitors.

“Highway 1 through Banff into the national parks, you will not notice any restrictions,” he says. “There should be no expectations that you will be stopped, or that there will be any type of overt security presence that would prevent you from travelling on the highway.”

He says there could be temporary instances where they need to slow down, or detour traffic, but it would not be a permanent closure.

“The only permanent road closure is at Highway 40,” he says.

Logan says there may even be military personnel on the ground.

“You may say an increase of military vehicles on the road, especially before and after the summit,” he says.

He says people may spot soldiers in wooded areas, but it should not be cause for concern.

A report to the Calgary Police Commission earlier this year says police expect about 70 official guests, 2,000 delegates and 1,400 journalists will be in the area between Calgary and Kananaskis for the summit.

Police forces from across Canada will support security efforts, including authorities from Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

The G7 brings together leaders from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the European Union. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed earlier this week that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend.

More information about the restrications and closures is available at g7.rcmp.ca.