It’s the run-up to the G7 summit on Monday and Tuesday, and it will start with dinner with UK prime minister Keir Starmer tonight, before everyone starts heading to Calgary, where Danielle Smith will be greeting delegates as they arrive for the G7, starting on Sunday, and will host an event with them. We already know that there will be some different features in this summit in that they will forgo the usual joint communiqué, but instead, Carney will put out a chair’s statement (because there is unlikely to be any kind of consensus to be had with Trump in the room).

Another question is about what some of the discussions will wind up being about, given the chaotic nature of what is happening right now, such as Israel and Iran attacking one another, while there are wildfires burning in Alberta, and the conflict in Ukraine has intensified after Ukraine destroyed a significant portion of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. The number of other non-G7 members invited to attend will also help shape the discussions, which includes Indian prime minister Narendra Modi (whose activities we are apparently overlooking for the sake of the conference), though it should also be noted that “bone saws” Mohammed bin Salman won’t be attending after all, despite being invited. Here is a rundown of the additional invitees to the summit.

Meanwhile, Canada and India have reached an agreement to share information about cross-border crimes, such as transnational crimes, syndicates, terrorism, and extremist activities. That makes the obvious question to be whether the Indian government will disclose its transnational repression and contracting of syndicates to carryout transnational crimes (like extrajudicial killings)? Or do they simply expect Canada to turn over information about the legal activities of Khalistani advocates in this country? Because if we’re not getting any of the former, I’m not sure what value this agreement really has as a “reset” of the relationship.

Ukraine Dispatch

Ukraine and Russia had another swap of bodies of fallen soldiers yesterday.

Good reads:

• Mark Carney is calling for “maximum restraint” in the Israel-Iran conflict.
• Anita Anand condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, says Iran can’t obtain nuclear weapons, and is calling for de-escalation.
• Carney is expected to sign onto the ReArm Europe fund at the Canada-EU Summit in Brussels on June 23rd.
• The federal civil service shed 10,000 positions last year, mostly in term or contract positions that weren’t renewed.
• The “fentanyl commissioner” is excited by the border bill, because what cop doesn’t want more warrantless searches to be given legislative approval?
• Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam is stepping down when her term expires on June 20th.
• The AFN is postponing their annual general assembly from July to September because of the wildfire situation around the country.
• Health advocates want the One Canada Economy bill amended to ensure that health regulations aren’t watered down as regulatory barriers are lowered.
• Defence industry stakeholders wonder how much Canada can really diversify from the US, given how much of our own industry are branch plants.
• Here is a look at the Internet Archive’s Canadian servers in Vancouver.
• The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that messages regarding complainant’s sexual activity or inactivity are inadmissible without a special hearing.
• The Quebec Liberal leadership vote is being held this weekend.
• Alberta will start charging for COVID-19 vaccines for most people.
• The exiles of the far-right BC Conservatives have started their own party, which is openly racist and white supremacist.
• Tom Nichols explains the nuances between a pre-emptive strike and a preventative war and how that is playing out in Israel’s strike on Iran.
• Patricia Treble discusses the process of designing the new Great Seal of Canada.
• Justin Ling delves into ways that the renewed defence spending commitments could be the start of reinvigorating Canada’s defence industry.
• Ling also explores how humour was used in Nazi Germany, and the parallels that can be drawn to similar uses by MAGA adherents today.
• Paul Wells offers a fairly personal reflection of Canada’s current feelings about the US, and why it’s not necessarily rational.

Odds and ends:

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