Carney in Saudi Arabia seeking economic partnership amid human rights concerns
The first visit by a sitting Canadian prime minister in 26 years aims to expand trade, investment and cooperation in key sectors, officials said.
- On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, invited by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the first visit by a sitting Canadian prime minister in 26 years.
- The visit follows a gradual diplomatic thaw after Canada and Saudi Arabia froze trade talks in 2018 over the kingdom's justice system and treatment of women.
- Newsletter Human Rights Watch describes the Saudi Arabian human rights record as "abysmal," citing a surge in executions and the ongoing travel ban on blogger Raif Badawi, who served 10 years in prison.
- Carney seeks economic partnerships including investment deals and green-energy cooperation, while Global Affairs Canada notes "significant momentum since 2025" in bilateral relations.
- University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau noted the visit occurs amid regional instability, including Iran conflict and potential discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and securing shipping in the Strait.
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Canada, looking for new partners on the subject of tensions with Washington, wants to develop relations with Saudi Arabia and will not "take away lessons on human rights," his Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is visiting this country, notes AFP on Thursday.
Le Journal de Montreal
Le Journal de QuebecGilles Duceppe wrote a murderous email to Mark Carney for his opening in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, Canada launch investment treaty talks as Carney visits Jeddah
Saudi Arabia and Canada have agreed to open negotiations on an investment protection treaty during Mark Carney's Jeddah visit, the first by a Canadian leader in 26 years, with mining at the centre.
Carney courts Saudi Arabia as U.S.-Iran ceasefire collapses
Prime Minister Mark Carney sought to deepen ties with Saudi Arabia on Thursday as renewed U.S.-Iran fighting overshadowed his visit. Canada condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf shipping, reaffirmed support for regional security, raised human rights concerns and signalled a pragmatic reset in relations after years of diplomatic estrangement.
For the first time in 26 years, Prime Minister Mark Carney went to Saudi Arabia.
Carney in Saudi Arabia seeking economic partnerships amid human rights concerns
Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in Saudi Arabia as he seeks economic partnerships with a strategically important country whose notorious human rights record is only getting worse.
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