Canada has officially taken over this year’s presidency of the G7 — the global bloc of economic cool kids — and will host its Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, this June.
Why it matters: Besides hosting, there’s no real formal responsibility that comes with the G7 presidency. However, the presiding country usually takes it as an opportunity to garner support and funding for a hand-picked “signature initiative.”
- The last time Canada was president it focused on female education in conflict and crisis areas. The time before that, it put its back into maternal health funding.
Big picture: There’s no clear indicator as to what this year’s signature initiative might be, though the prime minister’s office previously said that areas of focus for G7 co-operation are building fairer economies, fighting climate change, and managing rapidly evolving tech.
- Canada is expected to try and build off of the momentum of last year’s summit in which members unified on opposition to China and the use of Russian assets to help Ukraine.
Yes, but: Consensus building might be tougher after a year of power changes. Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. will all have leaders different from those at last year’s summit. Germany will likely have a new leader, too. And Canada’s own Justin Trudeau might not make it till June.—QH