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The news is about to be flooded with the latest from the Group of Seven (G7) as some of the world’s most powerful leaders travel to the Canadian Rockies next week for high-level meetings on some of the most pressing global issues.
Here’s a primer on the G7.
What is the G7 again?
The G7 is made up of some of the world’s key democracies, who meet every year to act as a co-ordinated voice on major issues, including trade and economics, security and climate change.
What is now the G7 dates back 50 years and is currently made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, who rotate hosting duties. The European Union is also a member.
It used to be the G8 when Russia was at the table. But the country was expelled in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.
Historically, the elite group’s mission has been to guide the world’s economy and rally around shared values, like protecting human rights and the rule of law.
But its relevance and effectiveness has been questioned in recent years amid increasingly protectionist trade views at the table, and the rise of India and China’s economic power.
When and where is it?
Leaders will start arriving in Kanansaskis, Alta., nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies on Sunday with meetings planned for Monday and Tuesday. There’s often closing news conferences on the final day.
Kanansaskis is not new to this kind of hubbub; it was the site of the 2002 G8 summit.
Canada has hosted the summit seven times, the last one being Charlevoix, Que., in 2018.
Who’s going?
Following a bout of elections since last summer’s meeting, many of the G7 leaders are new to the big table.
That includes host Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
U.S. President Donald Trump makes his closely watched return. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has a few G7 gatherings under her belt and hosted the summit last year.
At this point France’s Emmanuel Macron, first elected in 2017, could be considered the dean of the G7.
The European Union will be represented by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and António Costa, president of the European Council.
It’s also tradition to invite other global leaders.
This year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (this year’s G20 chair), South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and World Bank President Ajay Banga are attending, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Government sources said Canada has also invited Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Wednesday he is not attending.
How can Trump, a convicted felon, get into Canada?
Just over a year ago, Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts in a criminal “hush money” trial involving adult actress Stormy Daniels, spurring questions if the now re-elected U.S. president would be granted access to the summit.
While Canada is among dozens of countries who refuse entry to felons, Ottawa laid out in an order-in-council that representatives of foreign states are granted certain privileges and immunities while in Canada for the G7.
The short of it: there are international agreements protecting foreign leaders, their officials and diplomatic envoys. In this case that includes exemptions from immigration restrictions to “facilitate travel to Canada to the extent required for attendance at the G7 meetings.”
“This does not replace the need for a visa, where one is required, but it can facilitate admission to Canada of an individual who may otherwise be inadmissible,” the order reads.
A spokesperson from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada declined to comment on Trump’s upcoming trip for “privacy” reasons, only adding that “inadmissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.”
What’s on the agenda?
Carney said Canada is looking for action on three core missions.
The first theme is “protecting our communities and the world,” which calls for leaders to promote peace and security, counter foreign interference and transnational crime, address global pressures driving migration and improve the global responses to wildfires.
The second is “building energy security and accelerating the digital transition,” including collaboration around fortifying critical mineral supply chains and using artificial intelligence and quantum technology to boost economic growth.
Finally, Carney said he will push to secure “partnerships of the future,” like attracting private investment to build infrastructure and create higher-paying jobs.
Canadian sources have said they are hoping for some sort of Canada-U.S. trade deal by the time Trump and Carney meet at the summit.
Support for Ukraine will also be on the agenda as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion drags on at immense human cost.
Ukrainian officials have said they are preparing for a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump as the Ukrainian president continues to press for a ceasefire deal.
The Israel-Gaza conflict will also undoubtedly be discussed. Earlier this week, Canada joined allies including the U.K. in sanctioning two far-right Israeli ministers for “their repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities.”
Canada and its G7 partners France and the U.K. have been increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to end the blockade of aid into Gaza, where international experts warn of famine.
In response to the sanctions, Israel’s government said it will meet next week to decide how to respond to the “unacceptable decision.”
Can I travel to Kananaskis to see the leaders?
Hard no. The G7 summit is being described as the “largest domestic security operation” a country can take on, and the site will be locked down and packed with police.
These types of gatherings are already tightly controlled but last year’s assassination attempts on Trump further adds to the security posture.
The RCMP has prepared for this sort of high-stakes operation before but said technological threats have advanced since 2018, including the “weaponization of drones” and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
Calgary RCMP provide an update on the security measures needed for the 51st G7 summit from June 15-17 in Kananaskis, Alta. Officials say strict security measures are in place, including a restricted airspace and designated demonstration zones. Canada hosts the summit every seven years.
Even journalists, who will be stationed in Banff and Calgary, will have limited access to the summit site.
There are also natural threats that security forces have to deal with: wildlife and wildfires.
With Kananaskis located in the Bow Valley’s forests, officials say they’re monitoring for any possible wildfire outbreaks and keeping tabs on bears and cougars.
What if I want to protest?
Organizers are expecting large protests. Those crowds will be sent to designated G7 demonstration zones: one in Banff and three in Calgary.
In a 2025 twist, the protests will be livestreamed to the restricted area where the leaders are gathered.
“People who want to express themselves, as is their right, can’t get close to the leaders,” said RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall during a recent media briefing.
“So by establishing that video link, we are helping facilitate that Charter access.”
Will anything actually be achieved?
That remains to be seen. The G7 leaders work toward reaching consensus on issues or agreeing to certain commitments, but relations between certain leaders have become fractured in recent years.
The last time Canada hosted the G7, it fell into name-calling and disarray.
Tump refused to endorse the communique and called then prime minister and the summit’s host Justin Trudeau “very dishonest and weak.”
In the fallout, Trump adviser Peter Navarro, who still remains close to the president, went on Fox News to say there was a “special place in hell” for Trudeau.
With the G7 marking its 50th anniversary amid economic uncertainty and deadly conflicts, there’s more pressure than ever for the seven leaders to find common ground.