As Focus Shifts, Canada Still to Host G-8 Summit

Hosting a global summit of world leaders – even though it usually draws protesters – is usually a symbol of prestige for any nation.

Canada just learned that its plan next June to host the G-8, the big eight industrialized countries, won’t be the key meeting.

World leaders meeting in Pittsburgh decided that the G-20, which includes many developing countries including Brazil, China and Saudi Arabia, would be the new central forum for global economic policymaking.

This morning, Canada’s prime minister, Stephen Harper, said next year’s summit would continue and be a transition-like event.

-- Zachary A. Goldfarb