Subhead:As world leaders gather in Kananaskis to discuss climate and conservation, local preparation — including vegetation removal and tree clearing — raise questions about ecological trade-offs.#
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The quiet and scenic mountain town of Banff, Alberta, known for its natural beauty, looked a little different this week. That’s because world leaders, delegates, and their security teams arrived for the 2025 G7 Summit, being held in nearby Kananaskis while the media centre and designated protest zones were situated in Banff.
As visitors entered town, many noticed the Banff welcome sign had been completely removed. Meanwhile, the Kananaskis sign was covered up with a G7 Summit banner.
Ahead of the summit, several measures were taken to secure the area and minimize potential risks — especially when it comes to wildlife.
In particular, officials removed buffalo berry bushes, a major food source for local bears, in an effort to prevent the animals from wandering too close to the summit site. This approach appears to be a precaution, informed by past incidents like the one in 2002, when a bear was killed after entering town.
