G7 Leaders’ Summit Brings Excitement and Protests to Calgary

The city of Calgary is abuzz with excitement as airplane enthusiasts gather at the Calgary International Airport, eagerly awaiting the arrival of world leaders for the G7 summit in nearby Kananaskis, Alberta. The summit, which kicks off on Sunday, is expected to attract leaders from around the world, including U.S. President Donald Trump, and has sparked both enthusiasm and protests among the local community.

Plane Spotters Flock to the Airport

For Corbin Johnson, a self-proclaimed airplane enthusiast, the G7 summit is a dream come true. Johnson, who has been plane spotting since he was a child, is determined to catch a glimpse of Air Force 1, the plane that carries the President of the United States. "Air Force 1 is certainly the gold standard, but I think myself and everyone else is very excited to see all the other aircraft that are coming," Johnson said, his camera at the ready.

Johnson is not alone in his enthusiasm. Fellow plane spotter Jaidon Phelps, 20, an aspiring pilot who works at WestJet, was at the viewing area at 6 a.m. on Sunday, eager to see the planes arrive. "It’s just cool to be part of what’s going on and see what aircraft are coming in from all the various nations that are participating," Phelps said.

Protests Erupt in the City

While the plane spotters are excited about the arrival of the world leaders, not everyone is pleased. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Calgary City Hall, one of the designated protest zones, to voice their opposition to the summit and its attendees. The protesters, who were largely anti-Trump, carried signs that read "Yankee Go Home" and "True North Strong and Peeved."

Leanne MacKenzie, a protester who lived in California for 20 years before returning to Canada, was motivated to attend the protest by her concerns about Trump’s policies. "Since Trump is supposedly here for the G7, I’m coming out today to protest fascism in the U.S.A.," MacKenzie said.

Security Measures in Place

The RCMP has established a strong security presence in the city, with police chief Supt. David Hall urging protesters to remain peaceful. "We know it’s important for people to have their message seen and heard by the world leaders, and it’s for this reason we’ve established live feeds," Hall said. "We police behaviours and not beliefs. And so I’d just encourage everyone to look to conduct any demonstration activity over the next few days in a lawful, peaceful and safe manner."

Air Restrictions in Place

The G7 summit has also led to air restrictions over Calgary and Kananaskis, with police warning of potential disruptions to air traffic. However, domestic air traffic is expected to continue as normal, albeit with some additional security measures in place.

A City on High Alert

As the world leaders arrive in Calgary, the city is on high alert. With protests and plane spotters, security measures and air restrictions, it’s set to be an exciting and unpredictable few days. Whether you’re a fan of airplanes or a protester with a cause, there’s no denying that the G7 summit is a major event that will bring the city to life.

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Content originally published by globalnews.ca