DispatchesDarina Boykova is a 2L at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. Last week she attended the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, on assignment for JURIST. This is the second part of a two-part report. The first part of her report is here.
The arrival of the leaders on the first day of the Summit was interrupted by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council António Costa holding an opening press conference that I watched with the media.
President of the European Council
President of the European Council Costa began with an expression of solidarity with Canada concerning the ongoing wildfires, noting that they are a reminder of the need for more environmental protections. Costa highlighted the ongoing conflicts in the world, and urged the G7 to “lead with unity and purpose.” The calls for unity and cooperation continued to come up throughout his speech. Costa also made a pointed remark of continuing to address global imbalances “without sacrificing free and fair trade, which has delivered prosperity to our countries and lifted millions out of poverty over the years.” The conflicts in the Middle East also drew his attention: referencing the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Costa sternly confirmed that “Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons,” but stressed that the issue should be resolved by diplomatic means. Unfortunately, Costa held the press conference before US President Trump had landed in Alberta and Trump did not get a chance to receive these important calls for a diplomatic resolution of the situation. He bombed Iran just days later.
President of the European Commission
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen joined Costa in expressing her solidarity with Canada concerning the wildfires and provided a touching introduction:
Kananaksis [is] indeed a stunning place—a place with a history: in 2002 the G7 met here as the G8. Russia was still at the table and was seemingly seeking closer ties with the west. What we saw then as a chance for peace turned out, as we all know, to be a vast illusion. Two decades later, the world stands at an infliction point. We are confronted with wars – wars we thought were confined to history- and the global landscape increasingly shaped by global competition. This is why this summit will be defined by geoeconomics and geopolitics at the same time. The world’s largest democracies and largest industrial economies are gathered here today. Willing to talk, and talk openly together. Ready to act—to act decisively together.
Leyen continued on by pointing out the importance of stability in trade: “when companies are unsure what conditions they will face tomorrow, they delay investment today. When households expect price spikes, they stop spending. So, we need a frank discussion among the G7 partners, restoring the sense of stability and predictability among ourselves.” She explained that tariffs do not just impact exporters, but are “paid by families and businesses in importing countries,” and called for fair and predictable trade. Leyen also informed the media of the “aggressive trade practices from non-market economies, from industrial overcapacity – to weaponizing economic dependencies” that are faced by the countries and that need to be addressed.
Von der Leyen also called for exertion of more pressure on Russia: she shared that the EU had recently proposed an 18th sanctions package against Russia and invited all G7 members to mirror the action. She also disclosed the effectiveness of the sanctions: “Russian oil and gas revenues have fallen by almost 80 percent since the beginning of the war.”
She also touched on the conflict in the Middle East: she identified Iran as the “principal source of regional instability” and echoed President of the European Council Costa’s assurance that Iran must not have nuclear weapons. She also echoed Costa’s view that “a diplomatic solution remains the best way in the long run to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.” Leyen also brought up that “the same type of Iranian-designed and made drones…are indiscriminately hitting cities in Ukraine.”
She additionally shared that she had had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that, in that conversation, she “insisted and urged that humanitarian aid that is not reaching Gaza has to go to Gaza. Netanyahu promised that this is the case, and this will be the case. I will be working on having a close look at the facts: where is humanitarian aid, how it reaches Gaza, whether it gets into Gaza, what we can do to make sure that humanitarian aid reaches the people in Gaza.” A few days later, UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights shared accounts of murders of Palestinians at food distribution sites.
Lastly, von der Leyen said that Canada and the EU are working together to develop and sign a security and defense partnership which would open the door for joint talks with Canada on their access to the SAFE program. SAFE is a “150 billion euros for member states for joint procurement of defence, military equipment, and there is a possibility for very close allies, friends, and partners to join.”
President Trump
Day two of the Summit began with a strongly anticipated bilateral meeting between Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney and President of the United States Donald Trump that I also viewed in the media center. After Carney’s introduction, Trump gave an extremely brief highlight of the US’s cooperation with Canada, while referring to Carney as “Mark”, before abruptly providing an unprovoked history recap of the G7:
The G7 used to be the G8. Barrack Obama and a person named Trudeau did not want to have Russia in and I would say that was a mistake because I think you would not have a war right now if you had Russia in. And you would not have a war right now if Trump was president four years ago. It worked out that way, but it used to be the G8… they threw Russia out, which…was a very big mistake… I was very loud about it… We spend so much time talking about Russia and he is not over at the table.
Russia was removed from the G8 following its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. The removal of Russia was led by Canadian Prime Minister Harper, while Justin Trudeau was elected as a Prime Minister in 2015.
Later, Trump restated his opinion that keeping Russia in the G8 would have prevented the current Russian illegal aggression against Ukraine and that he did not consider Russia an enemy at the time of its removal from the G8. Trump went on to state that President Putin only speaks to him since he “was very insulted when he got thrown out of the G8… as anybody would be… He was thrown out by Trudeau who convinced one or two people along with Obama.” When Carney was asked to comment on the statement during his closing Press Conference, he stated that “it was personally offensive … [to] put it mildly, to the citizens of Ukraine and the inhabitants of Crimea when Russia invaded in 2014, which was the cause of their rejection from the G8.”
When asked about factors that are holding up the deal between Canada and US, Trump, ignoring the President of the European Commission Leyen’s previously delivered warnings on the harms of tariffs, stated that he is a tariff person since they are “simple…easy…precise” and that “Mark” has a good, but complex idea. At the end of the Summit during the Chair Conference, Prime Minister Carney was asked to expand on the complex idea that he proposed to Trump: after a surprised pause, Carney provided a simple response: “complexity is in the eye of the beholder.”
When asked about the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Trump assured the press that “Iran is not winning this war” and encouraged Iran to enter talks immediately. He agreed that the US always strongly supported Israel and stated that “Israel is doing very well right now.” Trump refused to disclose what it would take for the US military to become involved in the Israel -Iran conflict.
Trump’s meeting with the press concluded with questionable and arguably racist comments on migration into the US:
Cities are overrun…Biden allowed 21 million people to come into US… Vast number of those people were murderers, killers, people from gangs, people from jails – they emptied their jails into the US. Most of those people are in the cities: all blue cities, all democrat-run cities. They think they can use them to vote; not going to happen.
US and UK
While no anticipated trade agreement between Canada and US was made before Trump’s departure from the G7, Trump and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer informed the press of the freshly signed trade agreement between US and UK. As Trump dropped the agreement papers during the announcement without attempting to pick them up, Prime Minister Starmer lightened up the mood by pointing out that the agreement is very important, while laughing. After Trump congratulated Starmer, presumably on signing a trade deal with the US, Starmer stressed to the press that this agreement is was a “very good” and important deal for both countries. At the end of the presentation to the media, Trump reassured reporters that UK is “very well protected” because “[Trump likes] them, that’s why. That’s their ultimate protection,” while Prime Minister Starmer replied with a scoff.
After the announcement of the trade deal between US and UK, Trump responded to questions about the implementation of sanctions on Russia. He took a negative view of these, stating that “Don’t forget … sanctions cost us a lot of money. When I sanction a country, that costs the US a lot of money – a tremendous amount of money. It’s not just ‘let’s sign a document.’ You’re talking about billions and billions of dollars. Sanctions are not that easy. It’s not just a one-way street.”
President Trump’s Departure
President Trump left the G7 Summit at the end of the second day. While he and Carney cited conflict in the Middle East as the reason for his departure, the media did not fail to notice that he timed his leave to avoid Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s arrival at the Summit.
Contrary to wishes expressed in the G7 Research Group publication, “American leadership at Kananaskis,” US President Donald Trump did not “rally G7 partners,” did not “[pave] the way for concrete achievements,” and did not “tighten pressure on … Russia.”
Reflections
In the weeks coming up to the Summit, Canadians were both enraged over Trump’s arrival and confused about its legality. Putting the disrespectful “51st state” declarations aside, Canadian society has been disapproving of Trump’s actions toward Americans and foreigners alike. Add his “troubles with the law” into the mix and the reason for him being allowed to visit Canada and his continued membership at G7 becomes murky. President Putin got kicked out of the G7 – what is the bar? Shouldn’t human rights violations be enough?
Overall, besides the question of his very presence, Trump’s behavior at and after the Summit was not one I would attribute to a strong leader. Whether the cries for attention hiding behind controversial statements are real or part of a facade, they are unacceptable at events like a G7 Summit. It is not appropriate to make unsupported and racist statements on migration. It is not appropriate to justify illegal aggression towards Ukraine. It is not appropriate to make completely incorrect statements on timelines and people involved. Unfortunately, however, nothing that came from Trump surprised anyone.
President of France
President of France Emmanuel Macron addressed the media after the meetings of second day of the Summit came to an end, restating previous statements on G7 goals, Ukraine, and sharing more information about the next G7 Summit that will be held in France in 2026. After several questions from the press, Macron mentioned to the media that President Trump left the Summit early to discuss a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump later responded by declaring him a “publicity seeker,” stating that Macron has no idea why he left, and urging his followers to “stay tuned!” Soon after this, the US bombed Iran.
Ukraine and Canada
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived on the third day of the Summit, started off his bilateral meeting with Carney by informing the press of one of the biggest attacks on Kiev, “on just people,” orchestrated by Russian aggressors the previous night. Carney expressed his condemnation “in the strongest terms [of] the latest outrage of barbarism from Russia” and highlighted the importance “of standing in total solidarity … with the Ukrainian people” and of exerting “maximum pressure against Russia, who has refused to come to the table.” Carney also announced incoming sanctions against individuals, entities, and vessels in Russia and additional military and financial support to Ukraine. Zelenskyy went on to thank Carney for the military package, reminding that Ukraine is ready for peace and ceasefire negotiations.
India and Canada
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his bilateral meeting by saying that “India is the largest democracy in the world.” When asked about the murder of the Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar during the Chair Conference, Carney evaded answering the question by stating that Modi and he had a discussion on the importance of law enforcement cooperation and informed the media that there is a judicial process underway. Concluding his discussion on the matter, Carney reassured the media that “we [presumably Canada and India] will move to appoint high commissioners again.”
It was surprising to see Summit invitations extended to leaders who are potentially committing human rights violations; it seems that the bar to be kicked out of the Summit is too high. Carney did provide an interesting explanation that Modi “has attended every G7 since 2018” and that “hosting the Prime Minister in that context is entirely natural, entirely consistent.” Reading between the lines, it looks like Carney extended the invitation to maintain consistency and avoid scandal.
Final Chair Conference
Carney hosted the Chair Conference as he concluded the G7 Summit. He had opened the conference by pointing out the similarities of the global issues that were present 50 years ago when the G7 was put together and now, specifically “economic upheaval, stagflation, conflict in the Middle East.” Then followed Carney’s iconic phrase of the Summit: “it’s a reminder that nostalgia isn’t a strategy. We have to change.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney
The Canadian Prime Minister condemned “Russia’s unjustified and barbaric war,” while reiterating the G7’s unwavering support for a secure, a free and sovereign Ukraine. Opposing Trump’s negative outlook on sanctions, Carney restated that Canada, along with its international partners, is “launching a major new package of sanctions on individuals, on companies, on vessels—the shadow fleet—to exert maximum pressure on Russia.” He also shared that Canada will provide $2 billion in funding for military support and a $2.3 billion loan to help rebuild the infrastructure in Ukraine.
Carney shared with the press that while there was as yet no solid trade agreement between Canada and US, the two leaders agreed to pursue the negotiations and will intensify them towards a deal in 30 days.
The media brought up Canada’s potential participation in the Golden Dome Defence system project with the US. As an explanation, Carney reflected on the situation in the Middle East, pointing out a need for Canada to have ballistic missile defense: “Russia is an aggressor. Other hostile states are in prospect, terrorist organizations as well. We need to protect ourselves.”
The Conference was concluded by Carney confirming the score of the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers Stanley Cup final game. Soon after, the Panthers became the Stanley Cup Champions for the second year in a row. Being from Winnipeg and being part of the aggressively gum-chewing Paul Maurice fan family, I did get some looks from Albertans for celebrating the win.
Leaving
Right after the last Press Conference took place, I took the last photos with the reporters with whom I became friendly over the three days, and we made our way to the airport. The airport workers, after seeing the badge hanging over my neck, were pretty excited to hear that I had covered the Summit and had a lot of questions. Our gate was in section D—a decently long walk away—and some people noticed my badge while we were walking and asked me to point out the leaders’ planes to them: Carney had not left yet, and his distinct dark grey plane was very visible from the terminal, and president of Korea was just leaving. Even though the flight to Ottawa was at midnight, I saw a couple of journalists from the Summit on that plane.
Protests
The Summit was met with waves of protests: the protests were prominent enough for the local Banff newspaper Rocky Mountain Outlook June 19th issue to print photos of the G7 Summit with photos of correlating protests side by side. I was not able to personally witness any of the protests, probably because the dedicated protest zones were carefully placed outside the view of media and delegates.
The protesters, roughly 500 people – some protesting outside Calgary city hall and some in Banff, covered a variety of issues. One of the protested issues was the visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: there was a large demonstration by more than 100 Sikhs. Last fall, RCMP accused Modi’s government “of having a role in murder, coercion and extortion in Canada.” In 2023, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the murder of Sikh separatist activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Canada expelled Indian diplomats soon after. The previous issue of the Rocky Mountain Outlook editorial, while informing the readers of the G7 Summit, highlighted accusations against India’s Prime Ministers Narendra Modi concerning “human rights violations such as restrictions and prison sentences for academics, journalists and human rights activists.”
Other protesters brought attention to genocide in Palestine, Russian aggression in Ukraine, Indigenous rights, water security, and Canadian sovereignty. A number of posters contained anti-Trump and anti-ICE messages. There were several groups of protesters in Banff as well, with posters reading “Free Palestine” and “Stop Trump.” A number of protesters focused on environmental issues, urging conversations on water security and climate change.
The editorial in the Rocky Mountain Outlook also pointed out some missed opportunities when it came to the organization of the Summit, such as lack of public engagement and no legacy project; the editorial mentioned the Dead Man’s Flat wildlife underpass created for the 2002 meeting of the G8, also held in Kananaskis under Canadian chairmanship.
Indigenous Issues
It was disappointing to see a lack of inclusion of Indigenous leaders around the table and Indigenous issues in conversations at the Summit. While the media representatives were given out pins with Indigenous greetings and a book with a brief history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Indigenous stories, and statements from various Indigenous nations, communities, societies, and artists, there was no known conversation about the Indigenous Peoples at the Summit. Carney reportedly met with Indigenous Leaders, but that meeting was not publicized, and no statement was delivered.
Indigenous leaders were only seen in a line of welcoming Canadian representatives at the airport: as better noted by another reporter who attended the Summit, “other than standing in a greeting line at the Calgary airport on Sunday, Indigenous leaders had nothing to do with the meetings taking place around a very small table of the world’s G7 leaders.” Indigenous matters are crucial to a lot of countries that attended the Summit, making the absence of related conversation puzzling.
I was not the only one puzzled. Justin Murgai, CEO of Water Aid, an international nonprofit fighting for water security worldwide, hoped for better inclusion of “community leaders [engaging] in the governance of the water resources, the governance of clean water strategies, etc” at the discussion table to tackle water security concerns. Murgai, who was interviewed by my Saskatoon friend who graciously offered me the opportunity to listen to and include the interview in my dispatch, also informed us that one in four people doesn’t have access to water, impacting the ability of girls to receive education and of women to enter the workforce. Water Aid hoped to “leverage the political weight that the G7 brings out in order to encourage or to use…inclusive policies specifically [to address] water security.” Murgai identified the G7 Summit as an opportunity for leaders to recognize the importance of water and shared his hope that conversations around water security will continue to take place after the Summit as well. Unfortunately, water security did not make it onto the Summit to-do list; Water Aid later reported on the oversight of water security or, as Murgai described it, “a $200 billion problem” at the G7 Summit.
Conclusion
The G7 Summit was seen as an opportunity for leaders to come together and address important global issues: a vast number of research and calls for change were published in the months leading up to the Summit. Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged G7 leaders to sanction Israeli officials. Specially established Think 7 (T7) task forces compiled a list of recommendations for the G7 leaders that touched on AI, Digitalization of the Global Economy, Environment, and Peace and Security. Twenty organizations and member networks across Canada signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Carney urging action concerning water security. The Government Governance Project, in cooperation with the G7 Research Group at University of Toronto, distributed journals to the media representatives with 60 G7 articles, 10 of which contain the words “now,” “urgent,” “priority,” “red alert,” “critical,” or “action” in the titles. The articles cover a vast number of issues, including financial policy, trade, relationship with China, conflicts in the Middle East, military security, AI, digitization, environment and climate change, G7 system, energy and environmental security, health and sustainable development, food security, and debt relief.
A ridiculous number of hours of work, a ton of money, and a collective dedication was spent to research for, prepare for, orchestrate, and host the G7 Summit. Government workers, media representatives, civil groups, and research centres came together to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. But what is the result? Did the leaders read these articles? Did they listen to specialists in their respective fields? Did they even listen to each other? What do we have beside their meetings, smiles, hugs, kisses, gift exchanges, performance viewings, and a few statements? Did we change the world? I sure hope so.
