Canada, Saudi Arabia to Restore Diplomatic Relations

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May 25, 2023

Image copyright: Sydney Phoenix / US Department of Homeland Security [via Wikimedia Commons]story last updated May 25, 2023

The Facts

Saudi Arabia and Canada announced on Wednesday that they would resume diplomatic relations and appoint new ambassadors, breaking five years of poor relations after a dispute over human rights severely strained ties between them.
In separate statements, both nations' foreign ministries said they intended to restore diplomatic relations to the "previous level," with Ottawa announcing that it had appointed Jean-Philippe Linteau as its new ambassador to Riyadh.

The Spin

Narrative A

Despite Saudi Arabia's questionable human rights record, Ottawa made the right decision in resuming diplomatic relations. It was Saudi Arabia's aggressive response to Canada's justified criticism of the detention of human rights activists that led to the rupture in the first place. Bin Salman, however, has begun to focus his country's economic policies on attracting foreign investment and tourism, and Canada welcomes this move. Common interests should not be overshadowed by disagreements, and only a solid foundation for dialogue will lead to understanding and change.

CBC

Narrative B

The Canada-Saudi Arabia rapprochement fits into Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman's recent diplomatic spree to polish his image and position the kingdom as a major player in regional and international politics. However, Saudi Arabia continues to crack down on free expression and human rights activists. While some activists were released in 2018, many remain in detention, and more have been detained in the past year. Canada should be careful not to put its interests before its values when dealing with Saudi Arabia.