Obama arrives in Huntsville, Ont., for G8
Posted June 25, 2010 11:39 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HUNTSVILLE, Ont. – A helicopter carrying U.S. President Barack Obama has landed in Huntsville, Ont., the site of the G8 summit.
The G8 gets underway Friday at the Deerhurst Resort.
- For full coverage of the summits, visit the 680News G8/G20 page
- Photo gallery: G8 summit in Huntsville
Prime Minister Stephen Harper will officially welcome his G8 counterparts, as well as the leaders of China and several African nations, at Deerhurst before the noon hour.
It is expected Harper will open the G8 with an announcement of Canada’s contribution to the maternal and child health initiative. He will give well over a billion dollars.
While many of the issues have been predetermined before the gathering, there’s a chance leaders will discuss rifts and disagreements.
The United States differs on economic policy with Europe on spending versus cutbacks. Canada disagrees with the European Union and the U.S. on the issue of a bank tax.
Obama will be meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron to reach diplomacy on the BP oil spill.
Domestic politics may also play a role with the new prime minister in Japan and a shaky coalition in Germany.
Haggling continues behind the scenes about whether the G8 communique should include a total G8 figure for the Muskoka initiative, or name each country’s pledge.
Harper’s maternal and child health initiative aims to raise billions for poor mothers and their babies.
G8 members like the U.S., the United Kingdom and France have supported the initiative and there were signs Thursday night that other G8 members like Germany and Russia were ready to pony up at least some cash.
The G8 leaders are to spend just a day-and-a-half in Huntsville, then are to come to Toronto to Saturday night to join the larger G20 meeting.
