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This page will not be updated as it is part of the archive of the website prepared for the Kananaskis Summit which took place June 26-27, 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
On July 22, 2001, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced that Kananaskis, Alberta, would host the G8 Summit in June 2002. In the lead-up to the Summit, Canadians expressed their interest regarding the Summit via the Internet, letters, telephone calls and in meetings. Below is a list of frequently asked questions and responses concerning the Kananaskis Summit.
The Summit
The G8
Canada and the G8
Kananaskis
G8 Summit Claims
Summit security
Potential economic benefits
Where and when was the Summit being held?
- The Summit was held in Kananaskis, Alberta, on June 26 and 27, 2002.
What happens at the Summit?
- The Summit is a rare chance for the democratically elected Leaders of the G8 countries to meet, discuss common challenges, and decide on some common responses.
- As the G8 Chair, Prime Minister Chrétien, the longest serving G8 Leader, had an important role in shaping the priorities for G8 dialogue and discussion for 2002.
What issues were the agenda in Kananaskis?
What is the G8?
- The G8 (Group of 8) is an informal group of eight countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each year, G8 Leaders and representatives from the European Union meet to discuss broad economic and foreign policies. Visit How the G8 Works for more details.
- The G8's main objectives are to support economic growth, reduce global poverty, strengthen good governance, work together toward sustainable development, promote peace and security, and improve global public health and public safety. In all of these areas, Leaders of the G8 countries and their ministers seek to build cooperative partnerships with non-G8 countries, international institutions, civil society, and the private sector.
Why is Canada a member of the G8?
- It is in the interest of Canadians that Canada participates in international discussions with its key partners. G8 membership enables Canada to pursue its broad foreign and economic policy agenda and interests, and to help shape global developments on a range of issues, including responses to global crises.
Has Canada hosted a G8 Summit before?
- Kananaskis was the fourth Summit Canada has hosted, and the first held in Western Canada. The previous three Summits were held in Ottawa-Montebello (1981), Toronto (1988) and Halifax (1995).
How were the views of the citizens and organizations on the G8 heard?
- To prepare for the Summit, consultations and meetings with citizens and organizations were held in Canada, in other G8 countries, and in Africa. Visit our Discussing the G8 section for more information.
Why was Kananaskis selected as the location?
- Kananaskis was chosen in response to the Prime Minister's desire, shared by the other Leaders, for a focussed, working meeting that facilitates frank discussion and exchanges. Kananaskis is well suited to support this approach as it provides a venue for an informal, retreat-style meeting where Leaders can maximize the time they spend together discussing the Summit Priorities.
What was done to protect the environment in Kananaskis?
- Preserving and protecting the environment in Kananaskis, which is designated as a protected area by the Province of Alberta, was a priority. Visit our Environment section for information on the protective measures implemented.
- A Director for Environmental Affairs was appointed to ensure that environmental considerations were given priority attention. This nomination is a first for a Summit planning office, and it demonstrates the importance attached to addressing environmental issues throughout the planning of the Summit. To learn more about the Director, visit our Environmental Expertise section.
- Summit planners worked closely with all interested parties, including local environmental groups, the Province of Alberta, and the municipal governments around Kananaskis to ensure that environmental concerns are fully addressed.
- As has been done for all major conferences since the G7 Summit in Halifax in 1995, the Government of Canada was committed to ensuring that we reduced, reused and recycled materials at every opportunity during the Summit preparations, and in the execution of the Summit itself.
- Launched in June 2002, the Kananaskis Summit's Environmental Legacy demonstrates Canada's commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation.
- A G8 Summit Claims Office was established by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) to assess claims based on financial consequences arising from extraordinary security measures implemented for the G8 Summit.
How was security handled for the Summit?
- Security for the Kananaskis Summit was handled by G8 Summit Security, a joint operation established by the Calgary Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
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