G7 Summit Preparations Intensify Amidst Controversial Invitations
Kananaskis, Alberta – As Canada prepares to host the G7 Leaders’ Summit from June 15-17 in the scenic Rocky Mountain resort town of Kananaskis, Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is in the final stages of preparations. The summit is expected to be a pivotal moment for Canada’s year-long G7 presidency, with discussions focusing on global peace and security, energy security, digital transition, and securing future partnerships.
Prime Minister Carney’s schedule for today includes hosting a dinner for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, signaling the importance of bilateral discussions ahead of the main summit. Carney also spoke with the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Friday, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts.
However, the summit’s guest list continues to draw significant controversy, particularly the invitation extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Critics, including Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal and various Sikh groups, have publicly expressed outrage over Modi’s attendance, citing ongoing RCMP investigations into alleged Indian government involvement in crimes against Sikh activists in Canada. Experts suggest these invitations are part of Carney’s strategy to engage with nations Canada disagrees with, aiming to avoid marginalization and attract foreign investment amidst Canada’s efforts to diversify its trade relationships and reduce its reliance on the U.S.
The cost of hosting the G7 Summit is also under scrutiny, with estimates reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. However, foreign policy and international summit experts argue this is a “well worth the price of admission” for Canada to influence the global agenda and conduct crucial bilateral meetings on home soil.
In other Canadian political news:
- Canada Post Dispute: The ongoing labor dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) remains unresolved, following Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu’s decision to force a vote on Canada Post’s final offers. This intervention aims to end the protracted negotiations and service disruptions.
- Canadian Tourism Decline: Political tensions and new U.S. tariffs have led to a sharp decline in Canadian tourism to the United States. In May 2025, vehicle entries from Canada to the U.S. were down 38.1% year-over-year, and air travel dropped 24.2%. This trend threatens U.S. travel industry jobs and spending, with the U.S. Travel Association warning of potential losses of $2.1 billion and 140,000 jobs if the 10% decline continues.
- Auditor General’s Report: APTN National News is reporting on a new auditor general’s report today that finds the system for Indian Act status applications to be cumbersome, slow, and inefficient. This highlights ongoing issues with Indigenous services.
- Wildfire Scammer Alert: Some wildfire evacuees are reporting that scammers are sending messages pretending to provide disaster relief, underscoring the vulnerabilities faced by those affected by the ongoing wildfire crisis.