Vehicles pass a security gate and fence outside the site of the G7 Leaders meeting in Kananaskis, Alta., Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

By Glynn Brothen

International relations

Kananaskis prepares for arrival of heads of state for G7 event

Jun 15, 2025 | 11:46 AM

The small Alberta town of Banff and even smaller area of Kananaskis will soon see a swell of delegates, heads of state and heightened security as the G7 presidency gets officially underway.

Prime Minister Mark Carney will host the representatives at Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, a mountain spa with picturesque views of the Canadian Rockies.

A designated protest zone has been cordoned off at the entrance of the Banff Town. The Banff sign, popular for tourist photo-ops, was removed for the event. Certain hiking trails and locations will be closed during as well.

A G7 research group from the University of Toronto is also at the summit in the hopes of holding leadership to account on wildfires, artificial intelligence, the global economic outlook and, more recently, unrest in the Middle East.

Priorities for the attendees are numerous, with the seven government leaders to discuss partnership and cement a shared vision for the future.

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The G7 is made up of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, and France. The European Union will also have representation. Carney, as host, is permitted to extend the invitation to other heads of state, which he’s done as numerous invites were extended to Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Ukraine, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. All have agreed to attend, except the UAE.

The list of discussion topics are numerous and will be challenging in the wake of dynamic global events.

The two-day event commences Monday, June 16 with the prime minister expected to arrive in Kananaskis a day early. Carney plans to have face-to-face meetings with each individual heads of state in the time leading up to main ministerial meetings.

Monday will begin with an official leaders welcome, with the focus of the first working session to forecast the global economic outlook. A separate session on economic growth, security and resilience will follow.

The financial talks could be contentious, as prognostications from various economic officials have indicated a recession could be forthcoming. That view is underscored by recent threats of tariffs from United States President Donald Trump. These meetings will be his first face-to-face encounter with the other heads of state after those threats.

It’s unclear if ‘No Kings’ protests will follow Trump to the Canadian Rockies after several took place in several American cities.

Community safety is a topic on Monday’s agenda which is another timely event in the wake of recent war moves in the Middle East. The Gaza Strip, the recent bombing in Iran, and retaliatory bombing in Israel will be addressed.

Ukraine will receive its own working session on Tuesday, with President Volodymyr Zelensky invited as a guest to discuss the war effort against Russia. It is likely he will request further aid in the fight, along with defined alliances with the United States.

The closing session and the ‘family’ photograph will wrap the event followed by the final discussion on energy security. As to whether the schedule will change in the wake of recent turbulence across the world is unknown.

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glynn.brothen@pattisonmedia.com