Key Takeaways from the 2025 B7 Summit

Critical Minerals

Critical minerals are vital to the G7’s economic security, clean energy transition, and defence systems, yet current supply chains are heavily dependent on volatile sources. While Canada and other G7 countries have immense potential, investment and regulatory barriers hinder production and processing. A coordinated G7 strategy that includes recycling, innovation, and stockpiling is essential to reduce vulnerabilities and secure long-term access to these vital resources.

• G7 countries are too dependent on China for rare earth elements and critical minerals.
• Canada has supply potential but lacks capital and regulatory agility to scale.
• G7 collaboration is needed to build resilient, secure, and diversified critical minerals supply chains.

Energy

Energy is foundational to modern economies, with profound implications for national security, geopolitical stability, and economic sovereignty. The weaponization of energy has awakened G7 nations to the urgency of diversifying sources, choosing reliable and democratic energy partners, and building resilient infrastructure.

Key points:

• Canada is resource-rich but regulatory complexity and slow permitting processes delay critical projects. Additionally, Canada presently lacks the east-west and LNG infrastructure required to meet its potential as a secure, democratic energy supplier to the world.
• Post-COVID economic rebound and the rise of AI are fueling enormous new demand for energy. All forms of energy, including fossil fuels and renewables, will be necessary.

AI, Digital, and Cyber Security

AI is both a transformative economic tool and a strategic security asset. However, adoption remains slow across G7 countries, especially in Canada, due to skills gaps, lack of AI literacy, and regulatory uncertainty.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure is a strategic enabler of economic growth, energy security, and global competitiveness; yet most nations struggle to keep up with current demand, much less future demand. The cumulative global investment gap in infrastructure currently sits at $15 trillion.

Key points:

• Reliable and resilient infrastructure must include transportation, energy (pipelines, LNG), digital (data centres), and health systems.
• Projects are hampered by slow permitting, tax structures, and a lack of investor confidence.

Supply Chains and Global Trade

Supply chains have become strategic vulnerabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions. There is a strong call among businesses and governments for transparency, diversification, and resilience, particularly in critical minerals and food.

• COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and trade disputes have revealed deep fragilities. Countries must balance local self-reliance with international collaboration.
• Over-dependence on single suppliers (e.g., China for critical minerals, Russia for energy) exposes G7 economies to geopolitical risks.
• Lack of transparency and visibility in supply chains limits the ability to respond effectively to disruptions.

Health Security

Health is an economic imperative, not a niche concern. Post-pandemic, there is growing recognition that there can’t be economic stability without healthy populations.

• Innovation in health systems must be accelerated.
• Health must remain on the G7 agenda annually; it is essential to workforce readiness and economic growth.
• A whole-of-society approach is needed, with private sector inclusion and regulatory harmonization.
• Effective communication of scientific advancements must adapt to modern media and public consumption patterns.