Unlike in 2002, Alberta won’t rely on federal prisons to free up space in Calgary jails for G7
Federal prisons in Alberta will not be utilized to house inmates displaced by the upcoming G7 summit in June, according to the province. This decision marks a departure from the approach taken during the last world leader meeting in Kananaskis, Alta., where the Calgary Correctional Centre was emptied to serve as a holding center for detained protesters.
In 2002, prior to the G8 summit, inmates from the Calgary Correctional Centre were relocated to the medium-security federal prison in Drumheller to make room for protesters who may be arrested during the summit. The then-mayor of Calgary, Dave Bronconnier, issued a warning to protesters, urging them to avoid violent confrontations similar to those seen in Italy the year before, as they could end up at the Spyhill jail. Fortunately, the street protests in Calgary remained largely peaceful.
Correctional Service Canada has confirmed that they have not been approached by any external agencies to make arrangements for housing individuals arrested during the G7 summit. They stated that there are no plans in place for federal prisons to accommodate current inmates of Calgary Correctional Centre or summit arrestees.
Alberta’s correctional facilities are set to operate as usual during the summit, with no additional capacity being created or Calgary facilities being emptied. The Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services affirmed that they would implement appropriate operational responses in case of service disruptions due to public demonstrations. They also mentioned working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure safety and security during the summit.
Individuals arrested during G7 protests in Calgary will be taken to the Calgary Police Service’s arrest processing facilities at Spyhill, following standard procedure. Court appearances will be conducted virtually through Alberta’s provincial hearing office, either via video or phone. Additional bail courtrooms will be established as needed to address G7-related arrests.
Doug King, a criminal justice professor at Mount Royal University, pointed out that the security landscape has evolved since the 2002 summit, with police employing more advanced techniques for intelligence gathering. He emphasized the importance of cautiousness despite the remote location of this year’s summit, considering past large-scale protests like the G20 in Toronto.
The summit, scheduled from June 15 to 17, will be attended by leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and the European Union. The cost of hosting such events has been substantial in the past, with the 2002 Kananaskis summit estimated at $300 million and the 2018 La Malbaie summit budgeted at $600 million.
As preparations for the G7 summit continue, Alberta remains committed to upholding public safety and security while ensuring that correctional operations run smoothly without disruptions from the event.
