Trade: Carney Signs Turkish Pact Despite Rights Concerns

Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his administration's human rights record on Friday, asserting that few nations match Canadian standards. He made these remarks at the conclusion of a trip to Turkey, where he signed a strategic partnership with the government of President Recep Erdogan.

The agreement occurred as criticism of Ankara intensified. This month, Turkish authorities conducted high-profile operations that critics say silenced opposition voices, suppressed independent journalism, and restricted marginalized groups. Despite these issues, Carney maintained that his government practices values-based realism, accepting that not every partner shares all Canadian values.

“Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval,” Carney said. “There are very few countries in this world that have the standards of Canada.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raised human rights concerns with her Turkish counterpart in meetings on Thursday. When journalists asked if Carney personally discussed these issues with Erdogan, he declined to provide specifics. He stated that direct conversations with leaders are more effective than public reports, adding that his team has raised the issues.

Carney aims to reduce Canada's reliance on the U.S. market by diversifying trade partners. While previous efforts focused on Europe and the Indo-Pacific, recent deals have involved countries with questionable human rights records, including Saudi Arabia. In Turkey, a key commercial target is the potential sale of Canadian nuclear technology to help meet climate goals.

After signing the partnership, Carney indicated there were good chances for the engineering firm AtkinsRealis to partner on two planned power plants in Turkey. This commercial interest forms part of a broader effort to deepen economic ties beyond traditional allies.

On Friday, Carney also addressed formal accusations from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa regarding Canadian interference in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The embassy released a fact sheet on Thursday making the claim ahead of the November 3 vote. Carney called the claims meritless and expressed disappointment that the U.S. envoy viewed the suggestion as part of his role. He noted that Canada maintains careful diplomatic protocols to avoid appearing to interfere in the American democratic process.