Prime Minister Mark Carney will depart the NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday evening and travel to Saudi Arabia for the first visit by a Canadian prime minister in 26 years, according to an official press release. The visit marks a significant shift in Ottawa's priorities, with the agenda focused on deepening economic ties in energy, critical minerals, defense, infrastructure, and investment, while human rights concerns are not highlighted.
Background of diplomatic rift
In 2018, then-Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland sparked a major diplomatic dispute with Saudi Arabia by tweeting support for imprisoned activist Samar Badawi, sister of dissident blogger Raif Badawi. Freeland wrote, "Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawi's sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi."
Saudi Arabia responded by expelling Canada's ambassador, freezing trade, suspending flights, and removing thousands of Saudi scholarship students from Canadian schools. Freeland doubled down, stating, "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women's rights and freedom of expression around the world." Samar Badawi was released in 2021 after serving a three-year sentence; Raif Badawi was freed in 2022 after receiving 50 of his 1,000-lash sentence but remains banned from travel and reuniting with his family, who are now Canadian citizens.
Shift in priorities under Carney
Eight years later, with Freeland out of government and Canada and Saudi Arabia having re-established diplomatic ties in 2023, Carney's visit reflects a change in focus. Officials declined to say whether Carney would raise human rights abuses during his meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler. The official agenda emphasizes expanding trade, promoting two-way investment, and advancing cooperation in mining, artificial intelligence, cleantech, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and life sciences.
Carney will also participate in a business forum with key members of the Saudi business community. The visit underscores Ottawa's prioritization of economic partnerships over public advocacy on rights issues in the absolute monarchy, which restricts civil liberties, political dissent, and freedom of expression.
