End the G-8

Canada advised to embrace and influence G-20 instead

CALGARY, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - In a paper released today by The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, Prof. Gordon Smith, Executive Director of the Centre for Global Studies and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation at the University of Victoria, with co-author Peter Heap, study the effectiveness and roles of the G-8/G-20, by studying the recent meetings held in Toronto and Huntsville, Ontario. 

The authors argue that the Canadian strategy of two summits reflected uncertainty about objectives. The Prime Minister continued to support a separate role for the G8, notwithstanding the growing influence of the more inclusive G20.  The Huntsville/Toronto experience suggests that a distinction of objectives between the two meetings is difficult to sustain.

Canada's hosting of the two meetings represented a "lost opportunity".  The eventual outcome of the two events did not illuminate the respective roles of the two gatherings so much as it demonstrated the confusion over them.

Author Gordon Smith argues "Canada should lead work on resolving the relationship between the G8 and the G20, with a view to bringing the G8 summits to an end."  Recommendations along the way include; maintaining a strong relationship with the US, devising a meaningful connection with the EU, and developing multi-dimensional links with China, India and Brazil.  "Canada needs to be among the rule-makers, as opposed to the rule-takers of the international community. This can be done in part by working to set the research agenda for the G20 and creating a G20 think-tank network," concluded Smith. 

The paper, entitled CANADA, THE G8, AND THE G20: A Canadian Approach to Shaping Global Governance in a Shifting International Environment can be found at www.policyschool.ca by clicking "latest papers".

For further information:

or to arrange interviews please contact:

Morten Paulsen
Cell: 403.399.3377
Email [email protected]