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Jan 2, 2025 1:18 PM - The Canadian Press

Canada set to preside over G7 in 2025 — what that means and what's at stake

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The G7 has no charter, offices or permanent administration. It makes decisions based on consensus, without formal votes. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Canada is set to take over the presidency of the G7 in 2025, leading a forum of seven of the world's most advanced economies at a time of political instability at home and around the world.

Canada joined the group in 1976 and this year will be chairing its meetings for the seventh time. Ottawa plans to host the leaders' summit June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alta. The G7 includes the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada, as well as the European Union. For five decades, the group's governments have co-ordinated how liberal democracies respond to economic and societal challenges. The G7 has no charter, offices or permanent administration. It makes decisions based on consensus, without formal votes.

Russia was a member of the group from 1997, making it the G8, until the other members expelled Moscow in 2014 for invading Ukraine. The last time Canada hosted the G7, Trump overshadowed the leaders' summit during his first administration by refusing to sign the communiqué. He left early and lambasted Trudeau as "very dishonest and weak" in a spat over tariffs.

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