Carney to visit Saudi Arabia next week as rights concerns draw renewed attention

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Saudi Arabia from July 8 to 10 for a bilateral visit, where he is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The trip will mark the first official visit to Saudi Arabia by a Canadian prime minister in 26 years.

According to federal officials, the visit is aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Canada and Saudi Arabia. However, officials have not confirmed whether Carney will raise concerns about human rights during his meetings with Saudi leaders.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2018 after the Trudeau government called for the release of detained human rights activists in Saudi Arabia, triggering a diplomatic dispute. Bilateral relations have gradually improved since 2023.

Foreign affairs experts say the visit could help advance Canada's trade and investment interests in the region. At the same time, human rights organizations are urging Carney to raise concerns about political prisoners and civil liberties during his talks with the Saudi leadership.