When it comes to questions of human rights, “lecturing” other countries is an “ineffective strategy,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said in Saudi Arabia on Thursday after a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Lecturing countries from afar is an ineffective strategy. It’s satisfying, but it’s ineffective,” Carney said when asked if he was more concerned with business and the economy than he was with the “disagreements” Canada has with Saudi Arabia over human rights.
Carney met with bin Salman in Saudi Arabia on Thursday as he seeks to deepen bilateral trade and investment after years of diplomatic strain. Canada aims to build a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia “across energy, critical minerals, defence, infrastructure, and investment,” Carney’s office said.
Carney’s trip — the first by a Canadian prime minister to the kingdom in 26 years — also saw him meet with business leaders in Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea.
Bin Salman is who the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, in 2018, concluded had ordered the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
“Engagement is not endorsement. So, engaging with the country doesn’t mean that we agree with everything that a country is doing,” Carney said, adding that Canada needed to find new strategic partnerships around the world so it doesn’t become “over-reliant” on the U.S.
“We are actively engaging with key partners around the world. We are calibrating those engagements depending on alignment and depending on our interests,” he said.
Carney’s visit follows high-profile ministerial visits to the country, first by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu in January, followed by Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon in February, and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand in March.
Canada, Saudi Arabia sign deals
Business leaders from both countries signed 13 agreements across “education, critical minerals and mining, energy, infrastructure, security, artificial intelligence,” Carney said.
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“The private sector has kept the relationship alive — the commercial relationship alive. But we’ve barely scratched the potential of the relationship, and today is part of the next phase of building up,” Carney said Thursday at a signing ceremony at the Saudi Arabia-Canada Investment Forum.
Jeff Steiner, chair of the Canada-Saudi Arabia Business Council, told reporters in Jeddah that Carney’s visit to the kingdom is a “high-water mark” for relations between the two countries.
“We’re moving from reconciliation to seeing what opportunities there are when trust has been rebuilt, to build on that trust and to kind of grow prosperity and opportunities for both Canadians and for Saudis,” Steiner said.
Carney took part in a signing ceremony on Thursday between multiple Saudi and Canadian corporations and institutions, including Canadian engineering firms Hatch and AtkinsRéalis, formerly known as SNC-Lavalin.
Saudi state-owned agency Al-Arabiya reports that more than a dozen agreements and memorandums of agreement signed Thursday amount to $1 billion, most likely in U.S. dollars, though Carney’s office has not yet confirmed that amount.
Carney praised Saudi Arabia’s 2030 economic growth plan and drew parallels with Canada’s efforts to diversify trade and expand infrastructure and defence projects.
“When the world throws you a crisis — which it will — when it throws you an economic problem, when it throws you a geopolitical challenge, you keep focused on your long-term plan,” he said.
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“The private sector has kept the relationship alive — the commercial relationship alive. But we’ve barely scratched the potential of the relationship, and today is part of the next phase of building up.”
He said a delegation of Canadian pension funds will return to Saudi Arabia “in a few months” to seek opportunities in the kingdom, in addition to recent ministerial visits.
He also praised Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in culture, sport and video games.
“The world is seeing this pillar of vibrant society, where the kingdom’s becoming a nexus of global commerce, culture and creativity,” Carney said.
The prime minister’s meetings Thursday included Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar al Khorayef, and Bob Wilt, the head of Saudi state-owned mining company Ma’aden.
What is the crown prince accused of?
The government of then-prime minister Justin Trudeau had sharply criticized the kingdom’s justice system and treatment of women, resulting in Saudi Arabia shuttering trade talks. Ambassadors were only restored in 2023.
The Washington Post reported that the CIA concluded that bin Salman had ordered Khashoggi’s killing after reviewing an array of evidence, including a taped phone call in which the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Khaled bin Salman — younger brother of the crown prince — told Khashoggi to go to the Saudi Consulate to pick up his wedding documents and assured him that he would be safe.
The Wall Street Journal later cited a U.S. official saying Khashoggi’s killing “would not and could not have happened” without bin Salman’s approval, and that the CIA’s conclusions on the Khashoggi killing were based on a thorough understanding of how Saudi Arabia operates.
In 2019, bin Salman told PBS that he bears responsibility for Khashoggi’s killing by Saudi operatives “because it happened under my watch.”
–with files from Canadian Press
Not that I support Iran, but…
“‘Lecturing’ other countries is ‘ineffective,’ Carney says in Saudi Arabia.”
-Global News
“Anand calls Iran’s attacks on Gulf ships ‘unacceptable’ and ‘unjustified’.”
-Global News
I guess someone didn’t get the memo?
Says the man constantly hiding in foreign countries and lecturing everyone about climate change and which words are acceptable.
Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others. – Groucho Marx
And Mark Carney
So much for the Davis speech
Carney is practical and understands that true business organizations and the Government need to trade regardless of the way some other countries Govern. The average Canadian, like many other Democracies, like to criticize other countries about their actions or cultures.
Carney is practical. We feel good about sending millions in donations to some countries that don’t have the same values as us. So we form organizations to rid the world of everything we disapprove of therefore there is NO incentive for that country to change the manner in which it governs or attempt to. Why should they change? They know they will get millions from other countries to solve their issues.
Stop focussing on something you know very little about.
@ Tex For the record, an effective military is one which wins wars. The USA is losing the Iran war and looks weak. The USA lost in Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam. If you like your state can apply to join Canada. Acceptance is not guaranteed and is a long shot.
@Anonymous.
Trudeau was popular till he wasn’t. Carney will fall at some point. That is politics.
Trump should lecture Carney on having an effective military. Canada doesn’t have one.
Anonymous
July 10, 2026 at 7:57 am
Just trolls here today as Carney gains another point in popularity in the Canadian polls.
trump? lol….down, down, down
You should turn off CBC and take a look in the real world.
Carney can stop lecturing America. We don’t care of his opinion as he childish “Elbows Up” rhetoric.
Anonymous
July 10, 2026 at 8:05 am
And this week a FIFTH Conservative MP left PP to work for Carney.
Liberals will win the bye-election too,
The trolls here mean nothing. Enjopy the coming years.
Your words mean nothing. They come from some poor wretch living in some suburban slum, wanting to be heard but to much the coward to do anything put stroke it out on his sticky keyboard.
Libs s*ck and will go down.
And this week a FIFTH Conservative MP left PP to work for Carney.
Liberals will win the bye-election too,
The trolls here mean nothing. Enjopy the coming years.
Just trolls here today as Carney gains another point in popularity in the Canadian polls.
trump? lol….down, down, down
CD still going on about his pal JT. What colour are his socks today?
PP still handing out coffeesw?
Thats hilarious as Trudeau was always giving his unwanted opinions everywhere..
Of course it is ineffective. Always has been. Ridiculous that you would go anywhere to gain investment and start with “we don’t like your history of human rights”. Finally someone had the balls to say it.
Canada loves to lecture everyone as they think they are superior and virtuous compare to everyone else. A total arrogance and state of delusion.
@Ben still working for the government I see
@Simon your bias is showing. Canada did not need to take this direction to survive. We are in a managed decline
I trust Trump way more than this despot draconian Prince from KSA.
So…..this putz was lecturing foreigners about the ineffectiveness of lecturing foreigners….
?!
We are being run by MORONS
NO CONFIDENCE
To influence, the advantages of each decision are weighed to obtain a required outcome. The more economic strength a country has, the longer it takes to achieve positive humanitarian outcomes. So until there is good gain of political face, little will happen on that front.
What will happen or wanted to happen is an increase in trade, globally, to offset the american trading losses due to tariffs, thus pushing gdp positive. At the same time an increase in independence from america should occur.
Pivoting away from american dependence takes time while industries attempt to cope and find new trade directions. At present, the economy is reflecting that change. Over the next months the objective is to change the negative gdp to positive gdp.
It’s an economic direction Canada has had to take to survive, along with all the other tariff affected countries. The Iraqi situation may not help gdp short term, but long term, might help push for reduced reliance on oil.
a real clown this Carney..
Canadas economy hasn’t grown at all with Carney as PM. Mr. economic wizard gets a failing grade so far.
Carney has no values or standards it seems. I guess that is why he feels at home with Despots.
One can recognize that antisemetism exists in Canada-the majority of hate crimes are against Jewish people. But it is not antisemetic to criticize Israel’s bombing of Lebanon and Palestine. Legitimate criticism should not be silenced by labelling it as antisemetic.
Unless you are criticizing the Jewish State! All bets are off there! Carney and his lapdog Anand are the spearheads of AntiSemetic hate in the Canadian Liberal Government.
@Willow. Several of your statements appear to contradict official statistics, eg. that we have been in a recession for a year. Also, with respect, a lot of the items you talk about fall under Provincial jurisdiction. Finally, Carney is travelling with the end goal of growing the economy.
Carney cut some deals for his U.S. based “blind” trust companies, made some more meaningless Middle Power proclamations, and gluttoned down on that free gourmet airplane food he’s become accustomed too.
Well done and Elbows Up, Sir.
@Ben what country are you living in. Canadians are struggling with prices going up, we are in a recession and have been for over a year and Carney can’t stay in the country for more than 5 mins. Companies are closing jobs being lost , people living on the streets, food banks use is at record numbers and last but not least our Healthcare is in crisis mode. Oh Carney and this Liberal government are doing a fine job. of wrecking Canada’s economy
Especially when chairman Mark Mao Carnage can spend a few million dollars flying all over the world to say nothing.
Carney made the correct call here, balancing human rights against the fact we are under economic threat from the USA.
Kind of pathetic money always seems to be more important than things like human rights.
If anyone is lecturing,it should be Justin Trudeau. The guy is an absolute genius. So is Mark Carney. These two gentlemen have made Canada the most prosperous nation on the planet and we should all bow in praise of their incredible leadership and guidance!
Saudia Arabia must laugh that Canada buys crude oil from then instead of building a pipeline across it own territory. I am sure the Prince sends a Christmas card each year to Quebec thanking them for their business.
Carney likes to tell Americans what to do. Sorry, we don’t take advice from an Elbows Up bozo.
I love that MC doesn’t feel the need to placate voters. It is what it is.🤩
Funny how the Liberals love to lecture Canadians who have opinions different to theirs.
Talk with President every man there thinks he’s crown princes lame. Crown princesses know as female officers is their democratic rights real Crown princess agree. Go to school previous we all have business there clean the Nile of alligators and crocodiles. Linen and textiles gems and metal don’t let trump lie steal there to?
Canada would know
Why is Carney lecturing and bad mouthing the USA then? What a total hypocrite he is.
I see the children are finished their juice boxes
Is there a need for Carney to fly there???? Has he forgotten zoom calling?? Nice way to see the world. He’s obviously gone without his wife as she’d have to wear a tent and a hijab.
Um, so, when is it appropriate to discuss human rights abuses with those alleged of human rights abuses?
A hundred years or so after everyone involved is deceased?
I dunno, seems like Mark Carney is an inarticulate butthead surrounded by idiots.
The lying hypocrite sure like to lecture Canada. F*CK YOU CARNEY!
This pos goes to other countries and harangues Canada from the safety of his f*scist buddies. COWARD!
So why is he happy to criticize Israel then?
Liberals for the WIN!!!!!!!!
Thank you Prime Minister Carney, we truly have the right man for the job.
Now if we’re talking a pride rodeo than PP is our man with that fancy ladies blouse of his.
I agree with the comments that state we should not lecture the Saudis about human rights. The world has changed since that journalist was murdered by the Saudis, and Canada must adjust it’s foreign relations stance accordingly.
Saudi is a rich country trying to modernize and diversify. The whole situation was bad, but we need to recognize that nothing happens in a straight line and that the guy did take responsibility. There are many Canadian projects that could use an injection of saudi captial to get off the ground.
Lecturing other countries is “ineffective ”
But boycotting our biggest trade partner is effective ? Just think about that statement people.
If the entire Liberal state of being is not lecturing people and acting superior to others I am not sure what else you would call it.
What is a Climate Change agreement if not silently lecturing states that haven’t signed one?
What is a Liberal to do in their spare time if not lecture people?
Carnhole voters on their knees eating his azz out
ben needs to get back on his meds. tds is strong with him
I think Carney is canvassing the Saudi’s to get sponsorship for next year’s pride parade.
Yet thats all the LPC does
They even lecture their own
When you look to the despot just south of us, there are times when you have to hold your nose and deal with them. Saudi Arabia is’t as bad as Israel, (when it comes to killing people they don’t like) and we have build our country and help the world defend us from Trump
I’m sure Brookfield/Carney will make bank off this visit. The country, not so much.
Trudeau used to lecture the Saudis. It is not productive. Of course there are serious concerns with respect to human rights in Saudi Arabia but we need to understand the world has changed since Trump came to power. We are under economic threat from the US and need to recognize this reality and adjust our stance accordingly.
@Anonymous I believe Saudi Arabia’s human rights record deserves serious criticism. But given the current trade threats from the US, IMHO we have to be realistic and pragmatic and push human rights issues through diplomatic back channels. This is the practical reality of international relations now. When Canada pushes trade and investment with the Saudi regime, is this ethical and right? No but this is the world we live in.
Ben
July 9, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Carney is furthering the economic ties with Saudia Arabia. This will result in investment from the Saudis-they have a wealth fund worth 1.2 trillion.
So you are fully supporting buying Oil from Saudi’s, what happened to Elbows up! Buy Canadian? or is it Canada Makes America Great Again?
Carney is furthering the economic ties with Saudia Arabia. This will result in investment from the Saudis-they have a wealth fund worth 1.2 trillion.
Carney still hoping around the world from country to country achieving nothing in the meanwhile Canadians are struggling with higher prices every month on food and basics. I wonder how much money he is promising to spend or give to these countries and gets nothing in return
Dave is the smartest person here
Both Trudeau and Carney want to be an authoritarian like the Saudi Prince
Funny how PP’s drinkers have nothing good to say about their “leader” for months.
Nice free mansion, chef, chauffeur and make-over.
He needs another one.
Pretty sure Ben gives himself enemas for fun, seems like that kind of pillow biter
I’m a paid Liberal troll please continue to read my B S comments it makes me money.
Comical:
Carney Food: C’mon boys hop on the plane and try out my new $200k specialty gourmet catering, after all there’s only 2.2 million lined up at food banks back home… let’s chow down.
Carney Carbon: Don’t worry about the carbon footprint of my Airbus A-330 as it burns 4 litres of jet fuel per second…I make that up by increasing the industrial carbon tax on you plebes every year, and you can’t find it ’cause it’s hidden in there, somewhere.
… thank you for your donation!
Remember when the Liberals under Trudeau were critical when Trump visited the Saudi Prince a few years. What hypocrisy.
Carney says: Muslim values are Canadian values.
“Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others”
Groucho Marx
Mark Carney
LOL
After the “hegemon” speech at Davos
So Carney is running all over the planet trying to secure some type of “Deals.” Then when United Arab Emirates wants to invest $70 Billion Canada’s own Major Projects Office told them there was nothing to invest in. So what is Carney trying to accomplish? A prosperous Canada in 50 years?
Increasing trade with the Saudis is important because it supports economic growth, creates jobs, and strengthens business opportunities. Concerns about human rights are real and deserve attention, but they should not prevent beneficial trade and investment. As the leader of a middle power, Carney is deftly balancing economic interests with human rights.
Carney is happy to buy oil from KSA, instead of from Western Canada to use for Irving in NB. What happened to buy Canadian?
Ben
July 9, 2026 at 8:43 am
This is how you increase trade and investment. We also have to pragmatic about human rights and raise human raise issues diplomatically and not via a tweet like the last government did. Go Carney!
Why yes, GO CARNEY! Go ahead and keep doing what you are doing! Soon, your absolutely nothing will get one thing. OUT! I wll do as much as Ican to get these Liberal swine the f8ck out of power and on the curb. Ben here can go with them and keep their p*ckers warm.
Ben is a stupid liberal monkey.
This is how you increase trade and investment. We also have to pragmatic about human rights and raise human raise issues diplomatically and not via a tweet like the last government did. Go Carney!
Flyboy is at it again. Tripping all over the EU and beyond, s*cking luxury down like its water. Wifey in tow. I have yet to hear of anything good for us here at home come from all this jet fuel wastage etc. The man is a useless prima donna. A flash in the pan. Ben and all his trolls can s8xk it too.
They make a good pair
Both spend millions fumding terrorists