NEWS: Former prime ministers offer advice to manage big personalities at G7 Summit

The wit and wisdom of former prime ministers Jean Chrétien and Joe Clark on navigating tense political relations on the global stage highlighted UCalgary’s conference Plans and Prospects for the G7 2025 Kananaskis Summit.

With the rules-based order around global trade under threat, including the United States levelling tariffs on imports from the other G7 countries, the pressure points were evident ahead of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis.

Tensions ahead of June 15-17 Summit have been sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s words and actions in his second term in office and his need to dominate media headlines. It set the stage for a consequential three days as the G7 returned to Kananaskis for the first time since 2002.

The G7 leaders face multiple geopolitical and economic crises and an historic lack of unity at their 51st annual meeting with Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney serving as host in his first multilateral engagement on the world stage.

Chrétien opened the day-long conference presented by the School of Public Policy and the G7 Research Group and sponsored by Dentons Canada. Clark provided the keynote closing address.

The two highly respected elder statesmen of Canadian politics participated in multiple G7 Summits – Chrétien was prime minister when Kananaskis was the host site in 2002 – and dealt with big personalities like Trump.

“If he has decided to make a show to be in the news, he will do something crazy. Just move on with the discussion, is the way to handle that,” Chrétien said, lauding Carney’s approach to Trump. “He tends to be a bully once in a while. And don’t lose your cool when you have a bully, unless you grab him by the neck.”

The audience of close to 200 people at the MacEwan Hall Ballroom erupted in laughter at the 91-year-old Chrétien’s apparent reference to a chokehold he applied to a protester when he was Prime Minister in 1996.

Chrétien’s insightful commentary and comical quips came in a one-on-one conversation with his former deputy prime minister John Manley. They led into a series of panel discussions with experts in areas such as energy, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence as well as military and economic security.

In his remarks, UCalgary President Ed McCauley noted the ability to convene such an impressive group of speakers on the eve of a critical meeting of global leaders and said it was “one of the university’s superpowers.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was the other keynote speaker in a one-on-one conversation with Martha Hall Findlay, Director of the School of Public Policy, as they discussed Alberta’s role in global energy security.

In the wake of U.S. tariffs, Smith urged the federal government to reduce trade barriers and fast-track infrastructure projects to get Canadian energy and critical minerals, to new global markets.

“Let’s not take our foot off the gas,” Smith said.

In his remarks to conclude the day, Clark, a Conservative and Canada’s 16th prime minister, returned to the subject of big personalities with strong agendas. He agreed with his former political rival Chrétien, a Liberal and our 20th prime minister, on not losing sight of the long-term goals.

“I don’t think there’s any point in throwing up our hands or criticizing,” Clark said, noting the critical work at the G7 typically comes away from the media spotlight.

Chrétien, Clark and Smith all agreed engagement is critical to long-term success.

“From time to time the behaviour of one or several of the G7 countries will cause people to wonder is it worth the risk? Is it worth the energy?” Clark said. “While that thought might cross our mind, we should bear in mind how much has been accomplished by these governments being willing to act together.”

The conference attracted significant media coverage:

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