16.9^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Apr 30, 2026 2:01 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Carney to visit Saudi Arabia amid renewed Canada–Gulf relations

Share On

carney-to-visit-saudi-arabia-amid-renewed-canada-gulf-relations

In response, Saudi Arabia expelled Canada’s ambassador and recalled its own envoy, sharply reducing diplomatic engagement between the two countries. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit Saudi Arabia in the coming period, in what would be the first trip by a Canadian prime minister to the kingdom in at least two decades.

According to government officials, the visit follows an invitation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and comes after recent efforts by both countries to rebuild diplomatic ties that were strained for several years.

The dispute dates back to 2018, when the former Trudeau government criticized Saudi Arabia’s justice system and raised concerns about the arrest of women’s rights activists. In response, Saudi Arabia expelled Canada’s ambassador and recalled its own envoy, sharply reducing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

Relations began to normalize in May 2023, when both countries reappointed ambassadors. Federal officials say the upcoming visit is part of a broader effort by Ottawa to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties in the Persian Gulf region.

The planned trip also comes as Canada adjusts its foreign policy messaging in the Middle East. In recent statements, Carney has emphasized engagement with Gulf countries and indicated Canada’s willingness to support the region in the event of a ceasefire linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to federal briefings.

Latest news

sandy-dosanjh-withdraws-as-surrey-council-candidate

Sandy Dosanjh Withdraws as Surrey Council Candidate

The Conservative Party of Surrey has confirmed that Sandy Dosanjh has withdrawn her candidacy for the upcoming Surrey city council elections. The decision comes after her husband, Vancouver Police Constable Kalwinder Dosanjh, was named in fraud cases involving approximately $3 million. Sandy Dosanjh was recently introduced as a star candidate on the team led by Surrey mayoral candidate Honveer Singh Randhawa. However, she has now stepped aside, citing a family legal crisis. The Conservative Party of Surrey is campaigning on promises to lower taxes, improve public safety and put families first.

b-c-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-5-as-province-loses-5-500-jobs-in-august

B.C. Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.5% as Province Loses 5,500 Jobs in August

British Columbia’s unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 6.5% in August, while the province recorded a net loss of about 5,500 jobs, according to Statistics Canada. The province lost approximately 26,000 full-time jobs during the month. However, this was partly offset by an increase of about 20,600 part-time positions, bringing the overall net job loss to roughly 5,500. B.C. Conservatives blamed the job losses directly on the NDP government, saying the province continues to lose full-time jobs and accusing the government of failing to protect traditional industries such as fores

dr-gurpreet-kaur-sends-legal-notices-to-sukhpal-khaira-and-bikram-majithia

Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Sends Legal Notices to Sukhpal Khaira and Bikram Majithia

Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia have been served legal notices by Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In the notice, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur alleged that Khaira had published and circulated allegedly false, defamatory and objectionable content, including graphic posters and videos related to her, across social media platforms. Khaira has been given 24 hours to remove and withdraw the alleged content from his social media accounts. The notice also demands that he refrain from creating or circulating similar material i

vancouver-police-officer-kal-dosanjh-suspended-after-fraud-theft-charges

Vancouver Police Officer Kal Dosanjh Suspended After Fraud, Theft Charges

Vancouver Police Officer Kal Dosanjh has been suspended with immediate effect after being charged with multiple counts of fraud and theft. Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai announced the suspension during a news conference on Friday. He said the 50-year-old officer has been charged with four counts each of fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000, along with one count of breach of trust. Rai said the investigation began in December 2023. So far, 19 victims have come forward, although police believe there may be additional victims. A 51-year-old Surrey man, Sarabjit Singh Gill, has also been char

fourth-accused-in-ryan-nagy-murder-case-sentenced-to-7-years-in-prison

Fourth Accused in Ryan Nagy Murder Case Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

A 23-year-old woman has been sentenced to seven years in prison for her role in the 2023 killing of 19-year-old Ryan Nagy during a home invasion in Burnaby, B.C. Rhoda Diabikulu, the fourth and final accused in the case, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in March. She was sentenced Tuesday and also received a lifetime ban on possessing firearms. The sentence takes into account the 18 months Diabikulu had already spent in custody, leaving her with about five and a half years to serve. The incident happened on June 29, 2023, when four people entered Nagy’s home on 17th Avenue in Burnaby around 7

Related News

post card alt

Poilievre Blasts Liberal Government Over 42,000 Jobs Lost in August

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal government after Statistics Canada reported that Canada lost 42,000 jobs in August. Poilievre called the job losses deeply concerning, blaming what he described as high taxes, red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy under the Liberal government for restricting employment opportunities across the country. He urged the government to adopt the Conservatives’ economic action plan, including immediately approving 500 major development projects currently awaiting permits. Poilievre also repeated his call to

post card alt

Canada Could Face 5°C Warming by Century’s End, New Climate Report Warns

Canada could face significantly warmer and more extreme weather in the coming decades, according to the newly released second edition of Canada’s Changing Climate Report. The report projects that under a pathway broadly consistent with current global climate policies, Canada’s average temperature could rise by about 5°C by the end of the century compared with the 1850–1900 period. The report warns that much of Nunavut could experience more than 10°C of warming during winter, while glaciers in western Canada could lose more than 75 per cent of their mass. Heavy precipitation is also exp

post card alt

Canada Loses 42,000 Jobs in August as Labour Market Weakens

Canada’s economy lost 42,000 jobs in August, dealing a setback to the recent momentum in the country’s labour market. However, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4 per cent. The latest figures from Statistics Canada came in below economists’ expectations, with analysts forecasting a net gain of around 15,000 jobs. The public sector recorded the largest decline in employment, shedding 20,000 jobs and marking its third consecutive month of losses. Meanwhile, Canada’s manufacturing sector showed unexpected resilience despite the impact of U.S. tariffs, adding 22,000 jobs during

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2024 AKASH BROADCASTING INC.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

BC Children's Hospital