Carney Signs Pact With Turkey As Ankara Faces Fresh Rights Criticism

Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a strategic partnership with Turkey on Friday, cementing a deal with a government that human rights groups say is tightening its grip on power. The agreement comes weeks after Turkish authorities conducted high-profile operations that critics describe as efforts to silence opposition voices, suppress independent journalism, and restrict marginalized groups.

Carney defended the move as necessary for Canada’s economic security. He argued that few nations match Canadian standards and that partnering with Turkey allows Canada to reduce its reliance on the United States. "Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval," Carney told reporters. "There are very few countries in this world that have the standards of Canada."

The prime minister framed this strategy as values-based realism. This approach accepts that not every trading partner will align perfectly with Canadian values. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raised human rights concerns with her Turkish counterpart during meetings on Thursday. Carney said he also spoke directly with President Recep Erdogan, preferring private conversations to public reporting.

"I find those conversations are more effective when they're direct and open and not then reported out in detail, but we have raised these issues," Carney said. He declined to provide specific details of what he told Erdogan during their meeting.

Beyond political ties, the visit focused on trade diversification. Carney met with business leaders in Istanbul to explore new markets. One key area of interest is nuclear technology. Carney said there were "good chances" that Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis would be selected as a partner to build two power plants Turkey is planning to meet its climate goals.

Carney also addressed diplomatic friction with the United States. On Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet accusing Canadian leaders of interfering in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Carney rejected the claim as having no merit.

"I'm disappointed that their envoy sees that as his role to make these suggestions," Carney said. He noted that Canada maintains deep diplomatic and business ties with the U.S. but remains careful not to interfere in the American democratic process.