An opinion piece arguing for the re-establishment of annual 'Canada Summits' involving the Prime Minister, Premiers, and Indigenous leaders, similar to the G7 summits. The author, Alasdair Roberts, highlights the historical tradition of first ministers' conferences in Canada (1945-1995) and contrasts it with the current infrequent meetings, which he believes weaken national consensus. He proposes these summits be major, well-publicized events focused on long-term challenges and civil discourse, including Indigenous leaders as partners.
Opinion: Annual G7 summits are important. So why aren’t Canadian summits a thing?
Opinion
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️An opinion piece arguing for the re-establishment of annual 'Canada Summits' involving the Prime Minister, Premiers, and Indigenous leaders, similar to the G7 summits. The author, Alasdair Roberts, highlights the historical tradition of first ministers' conferences in Canada (1945-1995) and contrasts it with the current infrequent meetings, which he believes weaken national consensus. He proposes these summits be major, well-publicized events focused on long-term challenges and civil discourse, including Indigenous leaders as partners.
- 1 1945-1995: Prime ministers and premiers held 60 first-ministers’ conferences.
- 2 1965: Don McGillivray stated annual conferences were 'built into Canada's constitution.'
- 3 1975: First G6 summit held in Rambouillet, France.
- 4 1976: Canada added, becoming G7.
- 5 2003: Premiers began meeting annually as the Council of the Federation.
- 6 2010: G7 meeting in Huntsville, Ont., cost $300-million.
- 7 2018: G7 meeting in Charlevoix, Que., cost $600-million.
- 8 Since January (current year): Trudeau and Carney governments improvised two meetings on U.S.-Canada trade dispute.
- 9 June 2 (current year): Another in-person meeting held.
- 10 June 15-17 (upcoming): G7 leaders to meet in Kananaskis, Alta.
- Weakened ability to forge national consensus
- Lack of a 'Team Canada' approach
- Potential for improved national dialogue and solidarity if summits are implemented
What: An opinion piece advocating for annual 'Canada Summits' involving the Prime Minister, Premiers, and Indigenous leaders, similar to G7 summits.
When: Between June 15 and 17 (upcoming G7 meeting); 1975 (first G6 summit); 1976 (Canada added to G7); 2010 (Huntsville G7 meeting); 2018 (Charlevoix G7 meeting); 1945-1995 (period of regular first-ministers' conferences); Since January (Trudeau/Carney governments improvised two meetings); June 2 (another in-person meeting); Since 2003 (Council of the Federation meetings).
Where: Kananaskis, Alta., Canada; Rambouillet, France; Huntsville, Ont.; Charlevoix, Que.; Calgary.
Why: To identify long-term challenges, build personal ties, show solidarity, forge national consensus, and address the perceived weakening of Canada's ability to tackle important issues due to infrequent federal-provincial meetings.
How: By establishing annual, well-publicized 'Canada Summits' that are major events, focused on big-picture, long-term challenges, and include Indigenous leaders.