ABSTRACT
The G8 Heiligendamm Summit was an interesting reversal of roles for Germany and Canada. When Germany initially took over the G8 presidency it appeared that the government of Angela Merkel would take a narrow back-to-basics approach to the summit and focus on core economic issues, shifting away from the attention given at previous summits to global issues, most notably poverty, climate change and pandemics. In 2005, Paul Martin proposed an ambitious plan to reform the G8 both in terms of its composition and methods. He exhibited the qualities of the classic Canadian internationalist. The big bang idea for G8 reform associated with Paul Martin had many attractions. The progress made under the German presidency towards reform has considerable potential for reinforcing the G8's legitimacy and efficiency within the new international architecture. The Canadian approach to outreach was equally parsimonious, with participation at the G8 as with the G20 being cut back to emphasize the G8s collective strength.
