Banff rushes preparations for G8 meeting

November 14, 2001
Source: CBC Calgary
Original story - link verified on November 14, 2001

Banff officials say they would have appreciated more time to get ready for a meeting of the G8 environment ministers in the mountain community in April. Ottawa informed the town just over a week ago that it will host the meeting April 12 to 14, 2002. That leaves the town only five months to prepare for a meeting that many expect will attract environmental activists from around the world. "The G8 ministers' meetings don't attract the same attention, if you will, as the G8 summit itself," says Jim Bennett, Banff's town manager. People in Banff were already preparing for the G8 Summit scheduled for the end of June in Kananaskis. Town staff, local businesses and residents were thinking about how protesters might use the area as a base or how the area might be isolated due to tight security. John Stutz, Banff's deputy mayor, says Ottawa should have given the town more time to prepare its police and emergency personnel. He also says he wants Ottawa to pick up the tab for any downturn in the local economy due the G8 meetings.

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