Canada raised human rights concerns and discussed consular cases involving Canadian citizens during high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia as Prime Minister Mark Carney embarked on the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to the kingdom in more than 25 years.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said she addressed the issues during talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Thursday, emphasizing that Canada’s diplomatic engagement with Saudi Arabia does not come at the expense of its core values.
“Engagement doesn’t mean endorsement,” Anand said, adding that Canada remains committed to promoting its principles while strengthening international relationships.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Carney was scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman as part of efforts to deepen economic cooperation and encourage greater Saudi investment in Canada.
The visit marks a significant milestone in the gradual restoration of Canada-Saudi relations, which deteriorated in 2018 after then-Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland publicly called for the release of imprisoned Saudi human rights activists, including Samar Badawi. Saudi Arabia responded by expelling Canada’s ambassador and threatening to withdraw investments from Canada.
Diplomatic relations began improving in 2023, and Carney’s visit is widely viewed as the culmination of years of efforts to rebuild trust between the two countries.
Jeffrey Steiner of the Canada-Saudi Business Council said both nations are now looking beyond reconciliation toward expanding economic partnerships.
Canada and Saudi Arabia currently conduct approximately $4 billion in bilateral trade each year, with both governments exploring new opportunities for investment and commercial cooperation.
During her visit, Anand also criticized Iran’s recent actions in the region despite the ceasefire involving Iran, Israel and the United States. She described Tehran’s reported efforts to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and recent attacks as unacceptable, stressing that regional stability must remain a priority as negotiations continue toward a lasting ceasefire.
