Carney said Canada focuses on peace, energy security and new partnerships at the G7 conference
Canada announced priorities for the G7 Leaders Summit a week before the government held in Alberta as the government defended its decision to invite India to the summit.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's office said the top priority of the Ottawa summit is to strengthen global peace and security, which includes opposing foreign intervention and transnational crime, and improving response to wildfires.
His office also said Canada will focus on promoting economic growth by improving energy security, strengthening supply chains and accelerating the use of artificial intelligence.
Finally, Canada will discuss job creation by ensuring that new markets are opened and large infrastructure investments are generated.
In addition, Canada plans to use invitations to guests outside the group to discuss how to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine and “build alliances with reliable partners.”
Carney is in Alta from June 15 to 17.
Canada hopes to welcome leaders of other liberal democracies that make up the G7: Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Italy and the EU.
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Analysts say the summit came together in a tightening time, with Ottawa opting for a June date a few months ago, with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation and federal campaigns – traditionally effective in public service.
In addition to G7 members, the host country can also invite other leaders to speak out for priority countries at the summit.
Carney revealed on Friday that he announced to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that despite the RCMP accusations of widespread murder, blackmail and coercion in New Delhi, mainly targeting Canadian Sikh activists, including assassination near Vancouver two years ago.
At least four international leaders accepted the invitation from Kanaskis: Ukrainian President Vorodimir Zelenski, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanis, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luis Inasio Inasio Inasio Lula Lula Dasilva.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she is considering an invitation from Canada.
Canada's New Democratic Party and Sikh groups condemned Carney's decision to invite Modi, believing that the move puts economic concerns ahead of human rights.
She was former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a former senior adviser to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when the Carney administration “considered some Canadian life more important than others.”
“That (government) claim on transnational repression and foreign intervention will also be very difficult,” she wrote.
Others say it’s time for Canada to manage security through a structured process with India, rather than letting criminal charges and India’s concerns about Sikh separatism dominate the bilateral relationship.
During a virtual press conference on Saturday, Foreign Minister Anita Anand stressed that her administration “will not undermine” the RCMP investigation into the alleged crimes of Indian agents.
“The fact that leaders from many countries were invited to attend this meeting should not and should not undermine the importance of the ongoing independent investigation and the absolutely crucial rule of law considerations,” she said.
Anand said Carney decided which countries were invited and was cautious about the standards used by Ottawa to choose which leaders invited.
“This meeting will enable global leaders to discuss issues of global concern, which is the general purpose of this meeting and we are honored to invite leaders to join our country,” she said.
“The Prime Minister will chair these leaders to discuss very serious issues affecting the global economic and geostrategic environment.”
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
