G7 finance ministers and central bank governors are meeting for three days in the Alberta resort town of Banff as a prelude to the Leaders’ Summit next month.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
This month, Canada is hosting the G7 Leaders’ Summit, taking place in Kananaskis, Alta.
The three-day event follows initial meetings in May between finance ministers and central bank governors belonging to G7 countries in Banff, Alta.
Here is a guide to the G7.
Which countries make up the G7?
The G7 stands for Group of Seven and is an informal grouping of the world’s seven advanced economies. It includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States.
The European Union has also been included in the G7 since 1981 (when Canada hosted) as a “non-enumerated” member because of its large market size, according to think tank the Council on Foreign Relations.
Each year, a different member country holds the presidency of the G7 and the host rotates in the following order: France, U.S., Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.
What does the G7 do?
The informal grouping is different from the likes of NATO and the United Nations, which are formal institutions with charters and secretariats.
The G7 provides an opportunity for major democracies to convene, and discuss global economic policy and emerging global crises.
It began in 1975 as a gathering of the six other countries, excluding Canada. The following year, Canada joined. Members created the group in reaction to global economic crises of the time, where high oil prices caused instability, slow growth and high inflation.
By 1998, Russia had joined as a full member, turning the group into the G8. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton had thought adding Russia would help it align more with the West. In 2014, Russia’s annexation of Crimea turned it into a pariah and it was booted from the group.
Each year, a different member country holds the presidency of the G7 and the host rotates in the following order: France, U.S., Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.Stefan Rousseau/The Associated Press
What is the G7 summit?
The G7 Leaders’ Summit is the main annual event, but there are ministerial meetings that are more focused.
In March, foreign ministers gathered in Quebec. In May, finance ministers and central bank governors convened in Alberta.
The Leaders’ Summit has consistently dealt with macroeconomic management, international trade and relations with developing countries, according to the University of Toronto’s G7 Research Group.
In the past, climate change, gender equality and, recently, artificial intelligence have also been major topics.
This year’s summit is occurring against a backdrop of rising trade tensions after Mr. Trump launched a global trade war.
G7 countries are all trying to strike trade deals with Washington to avoid the tariffs imposed – but then paused – by Mr. Trump, which he argued were necessary to remedy unfair trading practices by allies, as well as by competitors such as China.
The G7 has been criticized for its lack of follow-through on policy initiatives and its exclusion of emerging powers, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
An awareness of this oversight has prompted host countries to include leaders from outside the G7 at summits, the think tank says. Last year, Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates were included at the summit in Italy.
When is the 2025 G7 summit?
Canada will host the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alta., located west of Calgary in the Rockies.
Canada has hosted six other summits in the past:
- 2018 – Charlevoix, Que.
- 2010 – Muskoka, Ont.
- 2002 – Kananaskis, Alta.
- 1995 – Halifax
- 1988 – Toronto
- 1981 – Ottawa-Montebello, Ont.-Que.
From left: Then G8 leaders including President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Italian President Silvio Berlusconi, U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Russian President Russia Dmitry Medvedev, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy attend the G8 Summit in Huntsville, Ont., on June 25, 2010.Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail
Who attends the G7 summit?
All the heads of state of G7 countries are expected to attend, including Mr. Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
World leaders, ministers, delegates and special guests are invited. Residents that live nearby can also attend, and journalists from around the world come to cover the meetings.
This year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are also expected to attend.
Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who initially deliberated whether she’d be attending, but confirmed this week she would be there for bilateral meetings.
Mr. Carney has also invited India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend. Mr. Modi thanked the Canadian leader in a post on X and indicated he would be attending.
Why be part of the G7?
U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan referred to the G7 as the “steering committee of the free world” in 2022.
Senator Peter Boehm, a former diplomat who played a central role in Canada’s participation in the G7 for decades, said it’s a key tool for Canada to exert influence and safeguard economic and security interests. “Our participation in the G7 is potentially the jewel of the crown of our foreign policy.”
The group originally focused largely on economic matters. But the rise of countries such as China and India has prompted the G7 to hone in on the rule of law, human rights and open markets.
The G7 also inspires projects, such as a monitoring service led by Canada that tracks how adversarial countries spread disinformation, particularly through social media during general elections.
Mr. Boehm argues the summits feature “frank and unscripted discussions among leaders” that help them get on the same page, “despite the almost universal skepticism of first-time participants.”
City of Calgary mounted patrol officers and Cpl. Kevin Jackowski with #P.P.C.L.I., Canadian military stand after a press conference of the joint security forces for the upcoming G7 Meeting on June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dave ChidleyDave Chidley/The Canadian Press
What security measures will be employed?
Given the attendees and the nature of the meetings, an extensive security plan has been organized by several bodies that include the RCMP, the Calgary Police Service, Alberta sheriffs, Alberta conservation officers and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Calgary police will help the RCMP with site security at hotels and other venues where delegates are staying, and with motorcades and escorting delegates between Calgary and Kananaskis.
Officials also told The Canadian Press they’re expecting protesters and are taking steps to deal with new technological threats, such as the weaponization of drones.
The RCMP has announced designated demonstration zones in Calgary and in Banff, and people visiting Calgary can expect to see more mounted units and canine teams used for explosive detection and tracking. Alberta sheriffs and conservation officers will also be around tohelp with wildlife mitigation.
With reports from Bianca Bharti, Steven Chase, Nojoud Al Mallees and The Canadian Press.