OTTAWA Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15 to June 17, 2025. With the summit on the horizon, analysts believe Canada’s primary aim will be to maintain the integrity of the G7, even if it means foregoing a joint statement.
Senator Peter Boehm, a former diplomat and veteran of G7 affairs, emphasized that ensuring the G7 remains cohesive will be a major achievement. He commented on the challenges facing the group, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions and differing viewpoints among members. The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, and has historically coordinated responses to various global challenges.
The summit occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions, including recent missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, along with ongoing criticism from Trump towards multilateral institutions. Trump has made clear his desire for Russia to rejoin the group, despite Russia's lack of interest since its expulsion following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
This year’s summit was organized quickly due to national elections in Canada and the subsequent transition from Justin Trudeau’s leadership, which resulted in a reduction in outreach efforts to other G7 nations. While Carney is expected to navigate his first significant international summit, he has previous experience in G7 and G20 meetings from his time as a central banker.
Typically, G7 summits conclude with a joint communiqué detailing the shared views of participating nations, a process that involves extensive negotiations. However, in 2019, France opted for a lesser chair’s statement due to an inability to reach consensus, a possibility that analysts are now considering for this year’s summit as well.
Federal officials hinted at a streamlined approach, suggesting that a joint statement may not be feasible. One anonymous senior official stated, “Canada is adopting a focused approach this year with a streamlined number of priorities, ministerial meetings, and negotiated outcome documents,” indicating the desire for actionable agreements rather than conflict.
Kerry Buck, a former Canadian ambassador, expressed skepticism about reaching agreement on contentious issues including Russia’s ongoing activities, climate change, and free trade. She highlighted the importance of preserving the G7’s credibility and unity, as any public display of disunity could undermine the group’s future. Buck anticipates that informal one-on-one discussions during the summit could yield positive results through quiet diplomacy.
The summit agenda will cover various critical topics, starting with discussions on the global economy, likely led by President Trump. Other significant issues such as energy security, artificial intelligence, and the repercussions of foreign interference will also be addressed. Notably, topics surrounding Ukraine and the situation between Israel and Iran are expected to dominate discussions, alongside inquiries into international development amidst recent U.S. foreign aid reductions.
The proposal to include at least ten leaders from non-G7 countries or institutions on the second day indicates an effort to broaden the scope of discussions. Yet, as leaders prepare to meet with new counterparts, such as Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, it is anticipated that personal meetings may be prioritized over large group sessions.
Ongoing discussions could influence future ministerial meetings Canada plans to host later in the year, particularly on energy and environmental topics. Previous G7 ministerial events hosted by Canada have successfully reached consensus on issues like artificial intelligence in banking and maritime security.
Although a formal joint statement may not materialize, John Kirton from the University of Toronto predicts a concise concluding chair’s statement along with several subject-specific documents summarizing member positions. Canada has a tradition of utilizing G7 meetings to launch a flagship development or humanitarian initiative, although financial constraints may limit such announcements this year. There are suggestions that Canada may propose an initiative addressing transnational repression without requiring substantial funding.
As various advocacy groups urge the Canadian government to address issues such as arbitrary detention, Africa’s debt crisis, and the Kashmir situation, business and civil society leaders will also engage in parallel events related to the summit, albeit distanced from the main gatherings. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have organized three designated demonstration zones in anticipation of protests during the summit, with plans to provide live video and audio feeds to leaders while keeping them safely away from potential disturbances.
