Prime Minister Mark Carney has made history as the first Canadian leader to visit Saudi Arabia in over two decades, meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a diplomatic trip focused on strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
During his visit on Thursday, Carney addressed questions about human rights concerns, stating that lecturing other nations from a distance is an ineffective approach. The Prime Minister emphasized that engaging with countries does not mean endorsing all their actions, but rather represents Canada’s need to establish new strategic partnerships to reduce dependency on the United States.
The landmark visit resulted in the signing of 13 agreements spanning multiple sectors including education, critical minerals, mining, energy, infrastructure, security, and artificial intelligence. Saudi state media reports these deals are valued at approximately $1 billion, though official confirmation from the Prime Minister’s office is still pending.
Major Canadian engineering firms Hatch and AtkinsRéalis were among the companies participating in the signing ceremony at the Saudi Arabia-Canada Investment Forum in Jeddah. Jeff Steiner, chair of the Canada-Saudi Arabia Business Council, described the visit as a turning point in bilateral relations, signaling a move from reconciliation toward building mutual prosperity.
This visit follows recent trips by several Canadian ministers, including International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, AI Minister Evan Solomon, and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. Canada is seeking to establish a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia across energy, critical minerals, defence, infrastructure, and investment sectors, marking a significant shift in diplomatic relations after years of tension between the two countries.
