Carney Signs Strategic Deal With Turkey Amid Human Rights Criticism

Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government’s foreign policy on Friday, stating that working with partners does not mean endorsing their domestic practices. He made the comments near the end of a trip to Turkey, where he signed a strategic partnership with President Recep Erdogan’s administration.

The agreement comes as Turkish authorities face intensified criticism for actions taken this month. Human rights groups say recent high-profile operations were designed to silence opposition voices, suppress independent journalism, and restrict marginalized groups. Carney, who has described Canada’s approach as values-based realism, told reporters, “Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval. 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 during meetings on Thursday. When asked if he personally discussed these issues with Erdogan, Carney declined to provide specifics. He noted that direct and open conversations are more effective than detailed public reporting, adding, “We have raised these issues.”

The deal is part of a wider effort to reduce Canada’s economic reliance on the United States. While previous diversification efforts focused on Europe and the Indo-Pacific, Ottawa has recently expanded ties with nations that have faced scrutiny, including Saudi Arabia. Carney’s visit included meetings with business leaders in Istanbul following political talks in Ankara.

A key commercial objective of the trip involves the potential sale of Canadian nuclear technology to help Turkey meet its climate goals. Carney said there are “good chances” that Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis will be selected as a partner to build two planned power plants in Turkey.

Carney also addressed a formal accusation from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, which released a fact sheet on Thursday claiming Canadian leaders interfered in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The election is scheduled for November 3. Carney rejected the claim, saying, “There is no merit to these claims, so I’ll call it out that way.” He expressed disappointment that the U.S. envoy viewed making such suggestions as part of his role, noting that Canada maintains a deep diplomatic presence and is careful to avoid interfering in American democratic processes.