In a unique blend of diplomacy and cultural flair, Qatar rolled out the red carpet—and a very Canadian playlist—for Prime Minister Mark Carney during a high-level meeting in Doha. The event, held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, saw the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra serenading the Canadian delegation with an eclectic mix of Arabic classics and iconic Canadiana.
A Musical Welcome in the Amiri Diwan
The formal lunch took place at the palatial Amiri Diwan, the official office of Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. As Carney, alongside Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi and Ambassador Karim Morcos, enjoyed a regal meal featuring lobster, beef, and camel meat, a small ensemble of a dozen musicians provided the soundtrack.
What made the performance notable was its distinctly Canadian flavour. The Qatari hosts, in a departure from standard protocol, curated the playlist themselves without consulting Canada's foreign service. The result was a nostalgic journey through 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s Canadian music.
The CanCon Playlist: A Diplomatic Setlist
The ten-song playlist was a testament to Qatar's research into Canadian pop culture. It kicked off with Céline Dion's 1994 power ballad "The Power of Love." Dion, a Quebec icon, dominated the setlist, with her songs comprising 20 percent of the performance, including the legendary "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic.
The ensemble then shifted to country-pop with Shania Twain's "You're Still The One," followed by the rock anthems of Bryan Adams' "Summer of '69." The smooth sounds of Michael Bublé rounded out the Canadian contributions with "Haven't Met You Yet."
Conspicuously absent were tracks from contemporary global superstars like Drake, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, or Tate McRae, suggesting the Qatari selection committee favored established, classic Canadian artists.
Sealing a New Strategic Partnership
The musical interlude accompanied substantive talks. Prime Minister Carney and the Emir finalized a new "strategic partnership" between the two nations. Following the meeting, Carney announced the partnership would deepen ties across trade, investment, defence, and artificial intelligence.
A key component involves a commitment from Qatar to invest significantly in unspecified "nation-building projects" within Canada. Both governments also agreed to prioritize negotiations for an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) and begin new talks on a double taxation agreement aimed at increasing mobility between the countries.
This diplomatic overture, underscored by a carefully chosen musical backdrop, highlights the soft power of cultural exchange in international relations, proving that sometimes, building a partnership starts with the right song.
