As leaders of the world's most powerful nations meet in the heart of Ontario's cottage country, their spouses will be enjoying their own itinerary in Toronto.
Organizers decided to spare spouses the approximately three-hour drive into cottage country due to the "unique logistics and organizational challenges" of planning activities in the region.
Because spouses won't be able to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the Deerhurst resort in Huntsville, summit officials are instead bringing a taste of the north to the city.
On Friday, the spouses are being introduced to the arts and culture of the region. The morning program, dubbed "The Muskoka Experience," includes a chance to learn how to bead moccasins from Algonquin leaders before a lunch highlighting "flavours of the Muskoka."
Spouses will be reunited at a welcoming reception when G8 leaders return to Toronto Saturday. They'll split soon after, however, as each group heads to their own official dinners. After dinner, they'll all get together again for a performance by the Canadian Tenors.
On the final day of the summit, host Prime Minister Stephen Harper's wife Laureen Harper has invited the spouses to a brunch atop the CN Tower, during which they will be introduced to 10 prominent women from across Canada. Hand-picked by Ms. Harper, the group of "Women of Distinction" includes country singer Beverley Mahood. Harper also plans to give each spouse a gift representing the "rich and vibrant artistic community in Canada."
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Harper hopes, "the Spouses of the G-8 and G-20 Leaders will find their time in Canada to be truly unique and culturally engaging, and where they will be able to fully experience the true spirit of Canadian traditions."
The spouses expected in Toronto for the summits this weekend include:
- Laureen Harper, Canada
- Geertrui Windels, European Council
- Margarida Sousa Uva, European Union
- Gursharan Kaur, India
- Kristiani Herawati, Indonesia
- Nobuko Kan, Japan
- Dame Patience Goodluck Johnathan, Nigeria
- Callista Mutharika, Republic of Malawi
- Svetlana Medvedev, Russian Federation
- Kim Yoon-ok, South Korea
- Emine Erdogan, Turkey
- Ban Soon-taek, United Nations
- Michelle Obama, USA
The only men among the Group of Twenty leaders' spouses -- the husbands of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Argentine President Cristina Kirchner -- are staying home.
Prepared with reports from CTV's Andria Case and The Canadian Press
