White hats, naked protestors and sweaty leaders in the gym: Headlines from the 2002 G8 summit in Kananaskis
CBC
As Alberta gears up to host leaders from some of the world's most powerful nations at the upcoming G7 summit, we're looking back at the most newsworthy headlines from the last time the high-profile event was held in Kananaskis, 23 years ago.
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien met with world leaders at the 2002 G8 summit, when the group still included Russia. The leaders met to discuss a variety of topics, including the central agenda item of African aid, while also squeezing in beers, golf and souvenir shopping.
Despite the recent Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. looming over the event, and the recent memory of out-of-control protests at the summit in Italy a year prior, Canada managed to deliver a safe and secluded event in the mountains, said John Kirton, director of the G7 research group at the University of Toronto.
The move away from metropolitan host cities marked a return to what the meeting between the leading industrial nations was originally intended to be: a "fireside chat" between world leaders.
"At the worst possible times, when the United States was really at its most vulnerable… Jean Chrétien and Canada's Kananaskis summit delivered," said Kirton.
"Yes for security, yes against terrorism, but [also] for Africa and the Global South, and for Canadians and its economic agenda and in advancing the Canadian concern for protecting the world's natural environment all at the same time, and [Canada] proved it could all be done in complete peace."
Kirton described it as "a mark for subsequent summits to meet."
Upon arrival in Calgary, then-mayor Dave Bronconnier greeted the world leaders with a white Smithbilt hat, a tradition symbolizing the city's hospitality.
U.S. President George W. Bush donned his cowboy hat for a quick moment and then held it to his heart. The Ottawa Citizen reported him saying to Bronconnier, "You don't look old enough to be a mayor."
According to the Globe and Mail's reporting, French President Jacques Chirac refused to put on his hat.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also shied away from modelling his gift, but did show curiosity, inspecting it closer.
The Globe and Mail also reported few leaders did the ceremonial "yahoo" cheer after receiving their white hat.
A Calgary Herald story from April 24, 2002 teed up how the G8 summit looked to change the world's perception of Canada with a "high-tech" showcase of non-stereotypical Canadiana in the form of a CD-ROM to be given to international delegates and journalists.
"Before they arrive, they'll be thinking of beavers, igloos, red-coated police on horseback and toothless hockey goons," wrote Kerry Williamson of the Herald.
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