Navigating the G7: Chrétien's Advice to Carney

Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has some straightforward advice for Prime Minister Mark Carney as the G7 summit approaches: Don’t get distracted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable antics. Known for his “bully” tactics to grab headlines, Trump is expected to stir up controversy, but Chrétien believes Carney should maintain his focus on important discussions.

"If he’s decided to make a spectacle to gain attention, just let him do it," Chrétien remarked during a recent event in Calgary. He urged Carney to keep his cool, drawing from his own experiences: "Don’t lose your temper when dealing with a bully, unless you want to physically confront him," he joked, referencing his own encounter with a protester in the past.

Building Bridges at the G7

Having hosted the G8 summit in Kananaskis back in 2002, Chrétien stressed that Canada’s role at these meetings should be to facilitate dialogue and remain humble. He highlighted that his tenure included attending 11 summits and insisted that Canada must continue to be a constructive player on the world stage.

However, not everyone has been supportive of Carney’s decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi amidst tensions in Canada-India relations. Despite the controversy, Chrétien defended the invitation, asserting, "It's always good to talk. You can't stand on a high horse for every issue. It's a smart move to extend the invitation to Mr. Modi."

Reflecting on Past Summits and Future Success

Recalling his choice to host the 2002 summit in scenic Kananaskis to save costs, Chrétien shared a lighter moment from the event where a bear had to be dealt with by organizers and protesters famously disrupted proceedings. Despite those antics, he remembered it as a successful gathering.

This year, he is optimistic about Carney’s leadership, citing his impressive background as Governors of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. "Carney has chosen pertinent subjects for discussion, giving us a chance to showcase Canada’s strengths — from energy resources to economic resilience," he noted.

Dialogue Over Antics

While the unpredictability of Trump remains a concern, Chrétien believes that fellow leaders will not hesitate to challenge him when necessary. He emphasized the central theme of the G7: honest discussions that can lead to meaningful solutions for global issues.

And as for Trump himself? Chrétien had a clear message: "Stop the nonsense about making Canada the 51st state of America. We are an independent nation — the last time anyone tried to take over Canada was in 1812, and we burned the White House!"