In this week’s edition, Prime Minister Mark Carney juggled diplomacy, domestic challenges, and political scrutiny as the G7 Summit spotlighted Canada’s role on the world stage. Amid high-level meetings with allies and renewed security commitments, the federal government pushed forward its Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act, despite growing backlash.
Carney Courts Allies and Advances G7 Agenda on Trade, AI, and Global Security
At the 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Prime Minister Mark Carney used Canada’s presidency to lead high-level talks on economic cooperation, digital innovation, global security, and strategic diplomacy, anchored by a series of bilateral meetings and multilateral agreements.
On Sunday, June 15, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Ottawa to advance Canada-U.K. collaboration on trade, artificial intelligence, defence, and critical minerals. They announced initiatives including a $5.7 million Joint Canada-U.K. Common Good Cyber Fund, plans to ratify the UK’s CPTPP accession and expanded cooperation on AI safety, biomanufacturing, and global security.
In a joint statement, the leaders confirmed major Canada-U.K. initiatives across trade, AI, nuclear energy, and national security, including a $14.8 million investment in biomanufacturing and expanded defence and intelligence efforts.
Starmer and Carney also reaffirmed their shared worldview, addressed global conflicts, pledged support for Ukraine, and launched a Canada-U.K. Economic and Trade Working Group to eliminate market barriers and strengthen bilateral ties.
Earlier that day, Carney met with Starmer and Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez before travelling to Calgary, where he held bilateral meetings with leaders from Australia, South Africa, and Germany, and met with Treaty 7 First Nations ahead of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
Their 70-minute meeting, which included senior officials such as Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, was described as productive and marked a notable shift from past tensions. Their talks included key issues like critical minerals, border security, and smuggling, despite differences in trade philosophies, Trump promoted tariffs, while Carney proposed a broader framework. The leaders also discussed reducing levies on sectors like steel, aluminum, and autos and addressed tensions from recent U.S. tariff actions.
Trump’s visit was his first to Canada since his earlier threats of “economic annexation,” prompting prior secretive negotiations from Canada to de-escalate the tariff conflict. He ruled out making any formal deal announcement during the summit, voiced frustration over Russia’s continued exclusion from the G8, and suggested China’s inclusion in future economic forums.
Trump left the summit early due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, while G7 leaders continued broader discussions on global security and economic stability. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed strong support for Canadian sovereignty amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis by advancing international cooperation on artificial intelligence, critical minerals, foreign interference, wildfire response, and global security.
Under Canada’s presidency, G7 members launched initiatives such as the G7 GovAI Grand Challenge, a shared AI Adoption Roadmap for small businesses, rapid solution labs, and expanded talent exchanges to boost AI innovation and equitable access.
Canada pledged $120.4 million to support energy-efficient AI and public sector deployment, while G7 leaders also agreed to prioritize emerging quantum technologies for economic and security benefits for the first time.
The G7 introduced a Critical Minerals Action Plan to ensure ethical, resilient supply chains through investment, innovation, and global partnerships. Leaders also reaffirmed efforts against migrant smuggling, targeting organized crime networks and collaborating with online platforms and transportation sectors under the 2024 Action Plan.
They jointly condemned transnational repression (TNR), unveiling a TNR Resilience and Response Framework and a Digital TNR Detection Academy to support victims and deter foreign interference.
Despite broad consensus, G7 leaders did not issue a joint statement on Ukraine or the Middle East ceasefire due to U.S. reservations. Canada independently advanced its Ukraine support, with Carney announcing $4.3 billion in new aid, including military equipment, infrastructure loans, and sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and energy sector.
He also reiterated Canada’s call for a 30-day ceasefire and emphasized the need for a just and lasting peace.
Bill C-5 Advances as Support Grows and Criticism Mounts
Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act, cleared committee following a marathon session despite objections from Indigenous leaders, environmental groups, and opposition MPs, who warned it centralizes excessive power and could bypass consultation, potentially triggering an “Idle No More 2.0” movement. It is also the only major bill on track to pass before the House of Commons rises for summer.
In response to concerns over potential conflicts of interest, Conservative MPs Philip Lawrence and Shannon Stubbs passed an amendment ensuring Bill C-5 cannot be used to override key accountability laws, such as the Conflict of Interest Act and Lobbying Act.
In the Senate, Business Council of Canada CEO Goldy Hyder endorsed the bill, calling it vital for unlocking resource potential and improving global competitiveness in partnership with Indigenous communities.
York University professor Mark Winfield warned that Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act’s, mutual recognition model for internal trade could erode provincial innovation and lead to a lowest common denominator in health, safety, labour, and environmental standards.
The bill, which is advancing through the House with backing from both Liberal and Conservative MPs, would give the federal government broad authority to fast-track major projects deemed in the national interest.
It would allow the cabinet to override 13 existing laws, drawing criticism from Indigenous leaders, environmental lawyers, and opposition parties who argue it undermines democratic oversight and limits public transparency.
Columnist Erica Ifill described the legislation as an undemocratic power grab that facilitates environmental racism by bypassing meaningful consent and disproportionately harming Indigenous communities already vulnerable to climate impacts.
Chief Accessibility Officer Sounds Alarm on Employment Barriers
A report from Chief Accessibility Officer Stephanie Cadieux warned of sluggish progress in achieving accessible employment across Canada. Despite the Accessible Canada Act’s 2040 goal for a barrier-free nation, more than 850,000 persons with disabilities remain sidelined by outdated systems, limited accommodations, and poor employer awareness.
The report highlights inconsistent employer efforts, rigid hiring systems, and a lack of reliable data and regulatory enforcement as key obstacles, alongside a need for greater awareness and mental health inclusion.
The momentum behind G7 diplomacy and Bill C-5 may signal a new phase in Carney’s leadership. But with growing scrutiny at home, from employment equity to environmental protections, the next steps will prove whether bold vision translates into inclusive, sustainable results.
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