Manitoba Chambers of Commerce President and CEO Chuck Davidson, along with more than 300 senior business leaders and policymakers from around the world, gathered in Ottawa last week to address pressing global economic challenges at the 2025 B7 Summit, hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This year, Canada holds the presidency of both the G7 and the B7, giving the Canadian Chamber of Commerce a unique opportunity to shape the global economic agenda. Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Chamber, emphasized that the summit was a chance to showcase Canada’s leadership in navigating global uncertainty – from shifting trade policies to digital transformation and sustainability.
Some of the more notable speakers over the three-day summit included newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nicki Haley, President & CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Clark, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce John Denton and Ambassador of the European Union to Canada Genevieve Tuts.
A Blueprint for Change
The summit’s central theme focused on strengthening economic security and resilience in the face of trade realignments, resource vulnerabilities, and disruptive technologies. On the final day of the summit, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released the 2025 B7 Communiqué, a bold and urgent call for G7 leaders to take decisive, coordinated action to create long-term economic security and resilience. The communiqué outlined five key pillars:
- Global trade
- Critical minerals
- Regulatory reform
- Energy security
- Strategic AI adoption
“This is a pivotal moment for our political and business leaders across G7 nations to move beyond caution and confront our shared challenges with clarity, courage, and strategic cooperation,” said Laing. “The Communiqué is the blueprint – but getting there will require committed, collaborative effort.”
In his role as Chair of the Provincial and Territorial Chambers of Commerce Council, Davidson was also part of the B7 Canada Executive Advisory Committee, which was engaged in the development of the event program and the final Communiqué.
“The opportunity to discuss global issues with stakeholders from around the world was a key benefit of attending the B7 Summit. It was clear there was consensus regarding the need for governments to work together to create greater business certainty and a sense of urgency in addressing issues of importance to the business community,” Davidson said.
Read the full B7 Communiqué
Read Laing’s opening remarks on behalf of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce at the B7 Summit
Pictured above, from left: Candace Laing, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce moderates the B7 Leader Insights panel featuring the U.S., EU and Japan, represented by Suzanne Clark, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Toshiaki Higashihara, Vice Chair, Keidanren and Frederik Persson, President, BUSINESSEUROPE.
