Carney to make first bilateral visit by a Canadian PM to Turkey

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to return to Turkey later this month for further discussions on bolstering trade and defense relations with the nation, which has gained increasing significance. Carney previously visited Turkey during the NATO summit in July, and his office confirms he will once again travel there from October 21 to 23.

During this trip, he will kick off in Ankara for meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, focusing on areas such as energy, mining, climate, defense and security, as well as strengthening interpersonal connections, according to Carney's office. Subsequently, he will journey to Istanbul to engage with Turkish business leaders and investors, targeting sectors like energy, aerospace, advanced technologies, mining, and critical minerals.

This visit comes at a time when Canada has faced mounting criticism from LGBTQ+ groups over its decision not to join European allies in condemning raids on Turkish organizations advocating for minority rights. Canada is currently negotiating a trade agreement with Turkey, with bilateral trade having surged by 50 percent over the past five years, and Turkey is contemplating acquiring Canadian nuclear-energy technology. This report was originally published by The Canadian Press on October 6, 2026.