  Planet Ark World Environment News Banff G8 environment meeting
- Protest? What protest?  Date: 15-Apr-02 Country: CANADA
Author: Jeffrey Jones  Like most locals and tourists along Banff
Avenue, the main drag lined with shops selling Canadian Winter
Olympic team sweatshirts and teddy bears dressed as Mounties,
the 25-year-old hotel worker is only vaguely aware of the high-
level environmental meeting taking place in town.  Banff,
Canada's mecca for skiers, hikers and backpackers, is playing
host to the Group of Eight environment ministers meeting this
weekend, and any fears of mass protests disrupting life in this
picturesque locale have proven unfounded.  "I've definitely
noticed the police presence," said Kitson, who has lived in town
for three years. "But most people in town didn't know anything
about it until the police started going door-to-door last week
telling people it was here."  The meeting is one of several
high-level gatherings leading up to the G8 Summit in nearby
Kananaskis, Alberta, this June,