Inside Mark Carney’s High-Stakes G7 Summit in Canada: Who's Coming, Who Isn't, And What To Read Into Carney's Invite List

As democracies wobble and autocrats tighten their grip, Canada hosts the world to defend freedom, unity, and a new global order.

The 2025 G7 Summit, held in the majestic seclusion of Kananaskis, Alberta, isn’t just another diplomatic photo op. Under the leadership of newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, this year’s gathering of global powers feels more like a referendum on the future of democracy itself.

This is Carney's first big act on the international stage – and it couldn’t come at a more critical moment. With democratic institutions under siege, a grinding war in Ukraine, and rising authoritarianism threatening the global balance, Canada has stepped forward to do what few other nations are willing to: lead.

And lead boldly.

What is the G7, and Why Does It Matter?

The Group of Seven (G7) consists of seven of the world’s most advanced liberal democracies: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. These nations represent nearly half of global GDP and have historically coordinated economic, security, and humanitarian responses to global crises.

Founded in the 1970s, the G7 has been a bulwark of liberal democratic values in a world where autocracies often dominate by force or fraud. Unlike the G20, which includes regimes like Russia and China, the G7 is proudly democratic. That identity matters more than ever in 2025.

Meet the G7 Leaders in Alberta

Canada (Host - PM Mark Carney): A former central banker turned visionary statesman, Carney is framing this summit as a reawakening of democratic unity. His three-pronged agenda: security (from cyber to wildfires), energy independence and climate leadership, and building future-facing economic partnerships.

United States (President Donald Trump): Back for his second act, Trump’s presence is both destabilizing and unavoidable. With a history of undermining the G7 (see: 2018's disaster in Charlevoix), Canadian planners are wisely skipping the final communiqué this year to prevent Trump from blowing it up again.

United Kingdom (PM Keir Starmer): Labour's new leader brings a stabilizing presence and renewed UK commitment to multilateralism. Starmer and Carney are already aligned on Ukraine and climate.

France (President Emmanuel Macron): The senior statesman in the room, Macron is expected to push for climate and African debt relief while backing Carney’s efforts to broaden the G7’s global reach.

Germany (Chancellor Friedrich Merz): Newly elected, Merz supports Ukraine, NATO expansion, and Western economic security. He and Carney see eye to eye on the critical minerals and green energy front, and we (Canada) can expect a significant military and trade partnership agreement with Germany this weekend.

Italy (PM Giorgia Meloni): Italy’s populist-tinged leadership hasn’t wavered on Ukraine. Expect Meloni to press for economic flexibility while backing infrastructure investment initiatives.

Japan (PM Shigeru Ishiba): Japan’s new prime minister will emphasize Indo-Pacific security, supply chain resilience, and semiconductor cooperation – priorities deeply aligned with Canada’s.

Australia (PM Anthony Albanese): Australia has been a surprisingly vocal ally for Canadian sovereignty, and Canada has been deepening ties with Australia’s economy and military since Trump’s 51st State Rhetoric. Expect a significant military and trade deal announcement with Australia this weekend as well.

The Guests List That Raised Eyebrows

Carney used his host’s privilege to invite a wider circle of global influencers – a move praised by some as bold outreach and condemned by others as moral compromise.

Ukraine (President Volodymyr Zelenskyy): The moral center of the summit. Zelenskyy’s presence billboards Ukraine’s defense as a global democratic fight. Carney has put Ukraine front and center to counter any possible wavering by the U.S. under Trump and is seeking to secure U.S. and international support for Ukraine, rather than asking for it. Zelensky's inclusion is a masterstroke

India (PM Narendra Modi): The most controversial invite. Modi’s government was implicated in the 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Human rights groups and many Canadians are furious. However, Carney has defended the invitation as realpolitik, securing commitments from India to re-engage in law enforcement cooperation.

Saudi Arabia (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman): Another eyebrow-raiser, though MBS ultimately declined the invitation. Canada-Saudi ties were only recently restored after a bruising 2018 human rights clash. The invite signals a willingness to cooperate on global energy and Middle East security, but not without political backlash at home. MBS declined the invitation - no reason was given, and Canadians won’t give a shit, but we’d love to know the impetus behind the invitation.

Other Key Invitees:

• South Korea (President Lee Jae-myung)

• Brazil (President Lula da Silva)

• South Africa (President Cyril Ramaphosa)

• Mexico (President Claudia Sheinbaum)

These additions reflect Carney’s strategy: build a global coalition of reliable, if imperfect, partners to tackle 21st-century crises.

The Agenda Behind the Summit

Under Canada’s presidency, the G7 agenda reflects Carney’s vision of global democratic leadership, modern economic strategy, robust security measures, and shifting geopolitical partnerships.

(They might as well have called the agenda “How to protect the rest of the world from Trump and Putin, FFS)

1. Protecting Communities & Global Security

   • Counter foreign interference and transnational crime

   • Enhance coordinated wildfire and disaster response

   • Reinforce peace and security measures worldwide

2. Energy Security & the Digital Transition

   • Secure critical mineral and energy supply chains

   • Accelerate AI, quantum computing, digital innovation

   • Position Canada as a leader in climate finance

3. Securing the Partnerships of the Future

   • Launch infrastructure and investment initiatives (PGII)

   • Deepen ties with emerging democracies

   • Coordinate with reliable partners for shared prosperity

4. Ukraine & Broader Conflict Resolution

   • Advocate a just, enduring peace for Ukraine

   • Align on sanction regimes and support packages

   • Involve invitee nations in reconstruction plans

5. Digital Resilience & Data Security

   • Establish a G7 framework on enhanced cyber defenses

   • Advance joint programming on quantum, AI, and data protection

6. Climate Action & Health Resilience

   • Respond to fire and extreme weather trends

   • Develop strategies linking climate response and public health

Carney’s Strategy: Bridge Building, Not Fence Sitting

Carney isn’t naive. He knows that inviting Modi and (almost) MBS comes with moral hazard. But he’s betting that engagement, not isolation, is the better path. It’s a gamble to broaden the circle of cooperation while reinforcing G7 unity.

His vision is pragmatic, not purist. Push for climate finance with Brazil. Strengthen Indo-Pacific supply chains with India. Increase infrastructure cooperation with Africa. And stare down authoritarianism with Ukraine leading the charge.

This isn’t appeasement. It’s diplomacy with leverage.

Canada’s Moment

This summit isn’t just Carney’s debut. It’s Canada’s moment to show that leadership on the world stage isn’t about muscle or money – it’s about vision, values, and partnership.

From Zelenskyy’s presence to climate pledges, from uncomfortable dialogues with autocrats to unforgettable unity against Russian aggression, the 2025 G7 Summit will be remembered as the moment Canada put democracy back on offense.

Carney said it best: "We are coming together to stand up for freedom, for rules, and for each other."

We couldn’t be prouder.