Thursday January 8, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON [Posted from VICTORIA, BC – 9:37 pm PT]
News & analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney will undertake three trade missions in this month. He had already announced his official visit to China (January 13 to 17) and his planned attendance at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland (January 19 to 21).
Today the prime minister’s office has also announced that Carney will squeeze in another meeting between the China visit and his time in Switzerland — he will be heading to Qatar for one day on January 18.
This will be Carney’s first official visit to Qatar which will be the first visit by a sitting Canadian prime minister.
The three trips:
- People’s Republic of China – January 13 to 17, 2026 – to build on the first official meeting (October 2025), meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Expected areas of focus: trade, energy, agriculture and international security. This marks the first visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister since 2017.
- Doha, Qatar – January 18, 2026 – to diversify Canada’s trade, attract new investment, and secure new economic partnerships.
- Davos, Switzerland – January 19 to 21, 2026 – to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting; meet with government and business leaders, deepen economic partnerships and create new opportunities for Canadian workers and industries. Expected areas of focus: positioning Canada as a premiere destination for global capital and investment including in natural resources, agriculture, energy and advanced technologies. [US President Donald Trump is also expected to attend this meeting]
The Qatar trip:
Carney’s trip to Qatar is about Canada’s new government moving the Canadian economy from reliance to resilience, it was outlined in a news release today from the Prime Minsiter’s offic (PMO).
“Building our strength at home, working to double our non-U.S. exports, and attracting massive new investment,” is the PMO’s stated strategy.
In Doha, Prime Minister Carney will meet with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to deepen the relationship between Canada and Qatar.
Carney will engage with business leaders and investors to promote trade, expand market access for Canadian exporters to Qatar, attract investment in Canada, and forge new partnerships in artificial intelligence, infrastructure, energy, and security.
Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Qatar totalled $325 million in 2024.
Bilateral relations:
For five decades, Canada and Qatar have maintained positive and growing bilateral relations.
In Qatar, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada to the State of Qatar in Doha, where Canada also maintains the Visa Application Centre. In Canada, Qatar is represented by the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Ottawa. Qatar opened its embassy in Canada in 2011, while Canada’s embassy in Qatar opened in 2012.
According to the Government of Canada’s page about bilateral relations with Qatar, over the years, Qatar has provided Canada with extensive support and assistance, contributing critical diplomatic efforts across a number of challenging issues.
In Doha, Prime Minister Carney will meet with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to deepen the relationship between Canada and Qatar. The Prime Minister will engage with business leaders and investors to promote trade, expand market access for Canadian exporters to Qatar, attract investment in Canada, and forge new partnerships in artificial intelligence, infrastructure, energy, and security.
Qatar played a key facilitating role in securing the release of Canadian nationals held by the Taliban. At the start of the COVID‑19 pandemic, Qatar Airways established an air bridge to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of Canadians.
Similarly, in 2021, Qatar offered invaluable help in evacuating Canadians and eligible family members from Afghanistan, providing temporary accommodation, meals, and medical attention during transit.
Canada has also extended support to Qatar, notably during the 2017 to 2021 regional blockade, when over 6,000 Canadian dairy cows were sent to bolster Qatar’s dairy production capabilities and enhance its food security.
In August 2021, Canada and Qatar signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). The DCA has facilitated enhanced defence and security cooperation between the two countries.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023, Qatar has played a critical role in facilitating (with Egypt) the exit of Canadians and Canadian permanent residents out of Gaza. Additionally, Qatar has played a constructive role in other areas of shared priority with Canada, such as mediating the repatriation of Ukrainian children deported by Russian forces and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
In May 2024, Canada and Qatar formalized their commitment to the bilateral relationship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on an annual bilateral political consultations mechanism.
===== RELATED:
- January 2026: International engagement by Carney in China & Switzerland (January 7, 2026)
- Carney meets Xi about trade issues, accepts invitation to meet again (October 31, 2025)
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