What we know so far about next month's G7 meeting in Kananaskis
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Military vehicles. Protests. Donald Trump.
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They are all going to be part of the Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis.
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With Canada hosting the event for the seventh time, we look at what exactly it is, what's on the agenda and what security measures will be in place as world leaders descend on the area.
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What is the G7?
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The G7 is comprised of seven countries — Canada, the U.S., the U.K., France, Italy, Japan and Germany — and the European Union, and they meet annually to discuss policies and solutions to issues such as trade, security, economics and climate change. The presidency rotates each year among the seven countries, and, as this year's president, Canada sets the agenda for the 2025 summit.
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According to Bloomberg News, G7 leaders might also discuss North Korea's malicious cyber activities and crypto hacks.
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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first G7 summit, and Canada will host for the seventh time in 2025. Canada first hosted the G7 in 1981, when Pierre Elliott Trudeau was prime minister, and the last time leaders met on Canadian soil was in 2018, in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, where a heavy police presence and an isolated venue thwarted protesters.
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Minister Mark Carney said last week he will meet in person with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called Canada the '51st state,' at the G7 leaders' summit.
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In late February, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejected former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's 'irresponsible' idea to ban Trump from the summit.
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And while representatives from the other G7 countries, plus the EU, will be attending, it's not uncommon for non-member countries to be invited.
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In a sign of solidarity, Carney previously invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend the G7 leaders' summit, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine now in its fourth year.
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Winnipeg Free Press
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3 hours ago
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The event also examined modern-day threats ranging from Islamist networks and Khalistani separatists to far-left radicals and foreign intelligence-linked agents operating in Canada under the guise of human rights activism. Danial Bordman, a Canadian journalist, did not mince words: 'We are dealing with Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, ISI-backed Canadians, Khalistanis, and radical far-left elements. It's alarming that these forces continue to operate openly while policy remains paralysed. But I also see the best people here today--and I hope this conference yields action.' Wyatt Claypool, another Canadian journalist, echoed the need for a principled foreign policy and stronger national resolve. 'Canada has become the country that often backstabs its allies. Whether it's India or Israel, we take the wrong side. We talk like second-year foreign policy students obsessed with de-escalation. We forget that sometimes there is a right and a wrong.' He continued, 'The Liberals haven't taken this threat seriously. Under Stephen Harper, at least we had a direction. Now, it's chaos.' Ujjal Dosanjh, former federal Health Minister and one of the most respected Indo-Canadian political voices, said, 'Today's meeting is probably the first in a long time to publicly address extremism in the Indo-Canadian community. Politicians have ignored this issue for far too long. What we see now is an intermingling of extremism, drug smuggling, and immigration fraud--creating serious problems for our society.' Community participant Guneet Singh praised the inclusive nature of the event. 'This is a Canadian issue, not an Indian issue. Illegal immigration, extremism--these are problems affecting all of us. It's good that platforms like CIF and TAFSIK are stepping up and bringing together people from across social, political, and digital spaces.' Panelists also discussed the reluctance of mainstream media and public institutions to address these challenges openly. 'Extremists are posting threats online and waving AK-47s, and the RCMP remains silent,' a speaker noted. 'Hate is disguised as freedom of expression, and security agencies walk on eggshells.' One section of the conference focused on Bill 63, legislation which panelists argue curtails freedom of expression for moderate voices, while shielding radical ones from criticism. 'Laws like this suppress open dialogue, which is essential to challenge extremism,' a speaker noted. The conference's objective was not just to diagnose the problems but to push for solutions. Speakers advocated for better intelligence sharing, law enforcement empowerment, and reforms in immigration to weed out exploitation by radical elements. They also called on the media to abandon fear-based self-censorship and speak honestly about growing threats. 'We must protect the vast majority--the peaceful, gentle citizens of Canada,' a panelist urged. 'The Canadian Charter of Rights was never meant to shield violence or extremism. It must protect the innocent, not the dangerous.' The conference concluded with a commitment to compiling a comprehensive report based on its findings, which will be submitted to Canadian lawmakers and security agencies. 'The time for silence is over,' said Ritesh Malik in closing remarks. 'Canada deserves to be what it was, what it should be, and what we want it to be for our children.' (ANI)
