Crime Prevention Deal
Canada and Qatar Sign Agreement to Boost Public Safety, Combat Transnational Crime
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Canada has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Qatar to fight transnational crime and boost public safety, Public Safety Canada announced on June 25, 2026. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree signed the deal in Ottawa. It takes effect immediately and can be renewed after five years.
The agreement is part of a broader diplomatic push by Prime Minister Mark Carney to reduce Canada's reliance on the United States. Carney visited Doha in January 2026 — the first trip to Qatar by a sitting Canadian prime minister — and declared a "new chapter" in relations, according to CBC News.
What the Public Safety Deal Actually Covers
The MOU creates a formal framework for Canada and Qatar to share intelligence and cooperate on law enforcement. The Spec reported that Ottawa says the deal targets "evolving security threats." Areas covered include human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism financing, and cybercrime. The RCMP will work directly with the Qatar National Police under the agreement.
Minister Anandasangaree said the deal will strengthen Canada's ability to stop criminals who operate across borders. "Strong international partnerships are essential to keeping Canadians safe," he said, according to RD News Now. "Together, we are enhancing our collective ability to prevent crime."
Six Months of Diplomacy Led to This Moment
The security MOU did not come out of nowhere. Canada and Qatar signed an MOU on political consultations in May 2024. Then, in September 2024, Qatar's Emir made the first-ever official visit by a Qatari head of state to Canada. The two sides also expanded their Air Transit Agreement at that time.
By January 2026, Carney was in Doha promising to "supercharge" energy industries and create jobs. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand followed up in May 2026, signing a "Strategic Dialogue" MOU in Doha with Qatar's Prime Minister, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The public safety deal signed June 25 is the latest step in that sequence.
Trade and Investment Drive the Relationship Forward
Security cooperation is only one piece of a much bigger picture. Canada imported $213.2 million worth of goods from Qatar in 2025, mostly mineral fuels, aluminum, and fertilizers, according to Global Affairs Canada. Negotiations are also underway on an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, expected to be finalized by late summer 2026, CBC News reported.
Carney framed the relationship in people-first terms during his January visit. "When the people of different countries are familiar with each other's cultures and perspectives, they're enriched, and they trust each other more," he said, according to Halifax CityNews. Direct flights between Doha and Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal are also being expanded to support tourism and business travel.
Critics Warn of Human Rights Blind Spots
Not everyone is celebrating the deal. Civil liberties groups and some opposition voices have raised concerns about Qatar's domestic human rights record. Their main worry: could intelligence shared under this MOU be used against dissidents or minority groups? The Human Rights Action Group noted that earlier Canadian security bills lacked clear safeguards against "transnational repression."
Some analysts see the deal as pure realpolitik — a security layer designed to protect the large Qatari investments expected in Canadian infrastructure and energy projects. Others argue deep ties with Qatar give Canada more diplomatic leverage in the Middle East. The five-year renewal clause means Parliament will have a chance to revisit the agreement, according to Brandon Sun.
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