A Faustian Bargain in the Desert

Canada’s recent overtures to Saudi Arabia have sparked controversy, particularly given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney has raised eyebrows, and it’s easy to lose sight of what’s at stake: Canada’s willingness to overlook its own values and principles in pursuit of economic gain.

Carney’s decision to send a permanent defense attaché to Riyadh and open a Canadian exhibit at the World Defense Show is part of this Faustian bargain. Trade officials, business leaders, and some diplomats seem eager to strike this deal, but it will have far-reaching consequences.

One consequence is already playing out in Yemen. The recent flare-up between Saudi Arabia and its Houthi neighbors serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in doing business with the kingdom. But it’s not just military conflicts that are a concern; Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, particularly when it comes to freedom of speech and women’s treatment, is hardly a proud one.

The country’s mining sector stands to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s aggressive focus on mineral exploration, but this is not the only reason Canada is willing to look the other way. For some, it’s about lucrative arms sales; for Carney, it seems more about creating opportunities for Canadian businesses inside the kingdom.

A New Era of Cooperation?

Canadian business leaders point out that Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s strategic plan to revolutionize its oil-dependent economy and create new opportunities for international investment, is a game-changer. With an estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped minerals, Saudi Arabia is suddenly an attractive proposition.

But beneath the surface of this newly forged partnership lies a more complex web of interests. Canada’s mining sector is not known for its commitment to corporate social responsibility – particularly when it comes to human rights and environmental sustainability. And yet, here we are: negotiating billion-dollar deals with a regime accused of war crimes.

A Shift in the Balance of Power

The recent thaw in relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia is welcome news for business leaders and trade officials. However, this development comes on the heels of significant social and economic reforms within the kingdom itself.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made some headway with his ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which includes women’s rights, education, and clean energy initiatives. While these reforms are promising, they also raise questions about Canada’s willingness to engage with the kingdom on its own terms rather than insisting on more fundamental changes.

A Calculated Risk

Former ambassador Dennis Horak warns that while social and economic reforms are underway in Saudi Arabia, “political liberalization isn’t coming any time soon.” This stark reminder of the risks involved in doing business with a regime accused of human rights abuses and authoritarianism is echoed by Thomas Juneau of the University of Ottawa: “It’s overly simplistic” to dismiss these changes as a facade.

Canada is choosing to focus on areas where Saudi Arabia has liberalized rather than pushing for more fundamental change. But what about our values? What about human rights and democracy? Don’t they matter anymore?

As Carney himself put it, “lecturing countries from afar” is not an effective way to achieve progress. However, isn’t that exactly what we’re doing when we engage with a regime like Saudi Arabia – one that has been accused of war crimes, torture, and human rights abuses on a massive scale? The question is: at what cost?