Backstage at the G7 Leaders’ Summit

In June 2025, several world leaders gathered in Kananaskis, Alberta, to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit. The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of 7 of the world's advanced economies, as well as the European Union. Its members meet annually at the G7 Summit to discuss global economic and geopolitical issues.

Behind the scenes of the 2025 summit, a dedicated team of public servants, including a range of specialists from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was executed with precision.

PSPC was responsible for laying much of the groundwork for this global event and supporting it on the world stage. Responsibilities included securing venues for the summit and ensuring each site was properly equipped for the function it served. The department also played a central role by securing key contracts for goods and services, delivering interpretation services, and providing project and event management expertise.

Much of the coordination was led by PSPC employees Meredith Little and Tammy Okemaysim, who, with the support of their skilled teams, made a significant contribution to the event's success.

For Meredith, Operations Manager for the PSPC G7 Summit team in the Western Region, it was more than just another assignment. "I knew it would be intense, but I saw it as a once-in-a-career opportunity to contribute to something truly national in scope," she says.

Tammy, a 24-year PSPC veteran and the G7 Summit Project Director in the Western Region, shared a similar sense of purpose. "I had been dreaming of working on the G7 Summit, and then I was approached to take the lead for the region. It was a case of ‘be careful what you wish for,'" she adds, reflecting on the scale of the mission and the impressive amount of work involved.

Alongside the Western Region team onsite in Alberta was an equally passionate and driven group of PSPC professionals in Ottawa. They played a key role in project oversight and coordination to ensure PSPC delivered on its commitments effectively. The G7 Summit personnel in Ottawa managed risks, monitored progress, oversaw budgets and forecasts, worked with federal partners at the senior levels, and much more. In doing so, they enabled the operational teams, led by Meredith and Tammy, to focus on delivering on the ground.

Collaboration on multiple fronts

The summit required constant coordination not just across the department and regions, but across the government as a whole. "We worked very closely with Global Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Health Canada, Shared Services Canada and National Defence," Meredith explains. At every level, success depended on mutual respect, a shared commitment and effective communication.

For example, there was an immense coordination effort, led by Global Affairs Canada, to manage the tight schedule of airport arrivals and departures. "At one point, we had 2 motorcades scheduled to arrive at the airport within 30 minutes of each other, and space was tight. We had limited tarmac room, overlapping VIP protocols and a very precise security setup. We had to move quickly and keep the process running," Meredith recalls. Her team collaborated with federal partners, airport authorities and internal logistics staff in real time to respond to the situation.

Both Tammy and Meredith emphasized the importance of trust and relationship building. Meredith says: "When things get tough, it's the strength of the relationships that carry you through. Trust the team. Everyone brings something critical to the table."

Racing against the clock

The scale of the operation was staggering, and with a tight timeline, every minute counted as much as every team member. "It was basically like building a mini-city from scratch. And doing it superfast," Meredith explains. "Trying to make a project of this magnitude happen in less than 10 months was a huge logistical challenge. It required a lot of discussions and out-of-the-box solutions."

There were daily obstacles when preparing for the multi-day event. "On the surface, everything looked smooth. But behind the scenes, we were juggling deliveries, dealing with vendors, and probably surviving on coffee and sheer willpower. It was like a race against the clock, and somehow, we pulled it off without losing a single screw," Meredith notes.

Despite the pressure, both women prioritized their teams' well-being and ability to get the job done. Tammy says: "It was crucial to maintain energy and morale. I had the right people. It was about pacing them to reach the goalposts."

Rising to the occasion

Looking back, both women are proud of what the department accomplished, which included awarding over 120 contracts, securing 7,500 room accommodations for dignitaries and Canadian and international support staff, preparing 9 sites and providing interpretation services in over 10 languages. "We delivered on every requirement, no matter how complex or short notice," says Meredith.

For Meredith, a key moment that signalled they had finally reached the finish line was when she and her colleagues were sitting in the operational command centre, watching the final flight being cleared for departure. As the plane lifted off, a wave of relief and exhaustion swept through the room. "There was this real sense that we nailed it. Now, we could finally breathe easy."

For Tammy, the G7 Summit was a career-defining moment for a variety of reasons. She sums it up best: "It was a summit like no other. We navigated a complex geopolitical environment, a Canadian election and countless hurdles. The dedication and resilience of everyone involved were remarkable."

Their stories are a testament to the power of leadership, collaboration and heart, and a reminder that behind every global event is the crew behind the curtain.

To discover more about PSPC employees, projects and services making a difference for Canadians, read articles found on Our stories.