Carney tours Kariye Mosque in Istanbul before departing Turkey
After three days spent fostering tighter economic and political ties with Turkey, Prime Minister Mark Carney closed out his trip at one of Istanbul's many great cultural landmarks.
Carney visited the Kariye Mosque in Istanbul on Saturday morning with his wife, Diana Fox Carney.
The mosque was once a Byzantine church and is renowned for its historic architecture and its beautiful frescoes and mosaics. The structure itself has evolved through Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Turkish history.
A backgrounder document from the prime minister's office said the site was chosen to underscore "Canada's recognition of the importance of cultural heritage as a bridge between peoples and nations."
The solemnity of Carney's visit gave way to an unexpected Canadian moment when a tourist visiting from Canada caught the prime minister on his way out of the mosque.
"Go Oilers!" the man shouted, referring to Carney's love of the Edmonton Oilers. The prime minister replied, "It looks good this year. Wait until the playoffs."
The tour marks the end of the first bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey.
Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan forged a new strategic partnership between Canada and Turkey after meeting in Ankara on Thursday.
That agreement will see the two countries collaborate more closely in areas like defence and energy and set the stage for Canada and Turkey to begin free-trade talks in the coming weeks.
The trip to Turkey came in the context of Carney's broader efforts to diversify Canada's trading relationships and reduce reliance on the United States.
"Our goal is not self-sufficiency; it is collective resilience," Carney said in a joint statement with Erdogan.
"That's why Canada is building deeper partnerships with reliable partners that create new opportunities for us both. And in Turkey, we have an exceptional partner."
Erdogan called Carney a "dear friend" in his own remarks and signalled that he plans to lead a business delegation to Canada in the future.
Canada and Turkey have not always seen eye-to-eye. Human rights have previously been an irritant in the relationship, and Carney's efforts to deepen ties with Turkey come as the country faces international scrutiny over a crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights.
The prime minister told reporters that "engagement is not approval" when it comes to doing business with countries that don't share Canada's values.
Canada raised human rights during its discussions with Turkish officials, Carney said, though he didn't confirm whether he raised the topic directly with Erdogan.
Carney met with a number of business leaders and investment firms in Istanbul, including representatives from Turkish Airlines.
During the trip, Canadian and Turkish officials formalized an expanded air transportation agreement that could eventually nearly double the number of direct flights between the nations.
Carney is set to depart Turkey on Saturday afternoon and is expected to return to Ottawa by early evening.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
By Craig Lord | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Publishers rely on trust, not tech, to ensure books aren't AI-generated
In the absence of surefire technology to determine whether something was written by artificial intelligence, some Canadian publishers say they have to rely on something nearly as thorny: trust.
Alana Wilcox, the editorial director of Coach House Books, wrote in an email that the company asks writers to be upfront about whether their work contains material generated by AI.
She says the existing tools to discern the use of AI aren't reliable.
There is renewed attention on the role of artificial intelligence in the book industry after a Quebec publisher cut ties with an author accused of using AI to write his debut novel.
Earlier this week, Montreal-based publishing house Les Éditions du Boréal said an analysis of some documents' metadata found evidence author Thélyson Orélien used AI while writing his novel "C’était ça ou mourir" ("It was either that or dying").
Allegations that Orélien used AI in his book first emerged on social media in September. The author denied using AI to write the book but said he had used it for research. Orélien did not respond to The Canadian Press’ request for comment following the publisher's announcement on Wednesday.
Before the controversy, the novel had been nominated for several major French literary awards and won the Prix du Roman Fnac. It has since been removed from contention for France’s prestigious Prix Goncourt.
Les Éditions du Boréal didn't specify which metadata showed the AI use.
And while the allegations against Orélien illustrate that trust may not always be enough, Wilcox said Coach House Books doesn't see much of an alternative.
"Our contract asks the author to affirm that their book does not contain AI-generated material. But there is no reliable way to police this: the tools that exist have proven unreliable and problematic in countless ways," she wrote.
"Nor are we interested in supporting systems that were trained on stolen material — our books," she added, referencing the fact that AI detection tools are, themselves, artificial intelligence.
Lisa Quinn, president of the Association of Canadian Publishers, said AI technology is a broad descriptor and there is nuance in how assistive AI tools can be used in the publishing industry.
But she says "the publishing industry strongly believes that artistic creation, intellectual creation is a human-centred activity."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
By Kaitlyn McGrath | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Alberta introduces new flag rules and restrictions for all schools starting in 2027
The Alberta government has announced new rules on when, how, and what flags can be displayed at schools.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the flags of Canada and Alberta must be flown outside schools during the school year.
Other flags -- including the Franco-Albertan flag, municipal flags and the Royal Union Flag -- can be displayed on specified days.
First Nations and Metis Settlement flags and foreign national flags can be displayed inside a school building during official occasions and on other specified days.
No other flag displays are permitted without permission from the province.
The new rules begin on Jan. 4, 2027.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Un gros party tout en blanc débarque à Montréal dans un lieu 100 % secret
Bonne bouffe, sparklers, danse et outfits mémorables!
Ta liste d'activités à Montréal vient de s'allonger : le Diner en Blanc (DEB) débarque dans la métropole et ce sera l'occasion parfaite pour célébrer la fin de l'été en beauté. Lors de cet événement gastronomique d’inspiration française et festif à souhait, tenue blanche de la tête aux pieds, pique-nique décadent et soirée dansante sous le ciel étoilé sont au programme.
Les festivités suivant le repas, qui se tiendra dans un lieu tenu secret jusqu’à la dernière minute, seront lancées en allumant des sparklers distribués aux invité.e.s., alors que musique live et ambiance électrisante s'empareront de la place pour cette quatorzième édition.
Que tu sois foodie, fan de mode ou simplement une personne qui aime être dans le feu de l'action, voici quoi savoir sur ce party incontournable en ville.
Avant de te lancer dans la vague de gens qui seront rassemblés afin de célébrer en habit monochrome, note qu'il y a certaines règles à respecter afin de participer.
Les personnes qui le souhaitent pourront donc apporter leur propre repas ainsi que leur vin et leur champagne (les deux seuls types d'alcools permis afin de respecter l'influence française de l'événement), ou réserver l'un des deux menus conçus pour la fête.
Le premier panier est proposé par le chef Laurent Godbout et contient des olives grillées au romarin et orange, une salade de tomates cerises façon ffattoush, du labné à l’avocat avec crudités, des endives à la rémoulade de canard confit, une focaccia à la stracciatella et prosciutto, des pappardelles de carottes marinées au sésame et noix de cajou, du poulet fumé tonato, des câpres frits et roquette ainsi que du fromage de chèvre frais avec compote de pêches grillées. Pour finir avec une touche sucrée, tu pourras te régaler de la panna cotta de maïs avec chocolat blanc et bleuets, ainsi que d'un parfait au chocolat et au caramel à la fleur de sel. Un véritable festin.
Le panier du chef Jérôme Ferrer est tout aussi alléchant avec une verrine de rillettes de saumon à l’érable, un pot de mousse de foie de volaille et foie gras au porto, du popcorn à l’huile de truffe blanche et parmesan, du pain brioché avec beurre truffé, des bols poké au thon rouge et en guise de dessert, un duo de tartelettes au bleuet façon clafoutis et aux poires amandines.
Tu te vois déjà sur place? Alors, ne tarde pas à réserver ta place dès maintenant!
Le Diner en Blanc de Montréal
Prix : À partir de 62 $ par personne pour l'inscription - 95 $ par repas pour deux personnes
Quand : Le 6 septembre 2024
Adresse : Un lieu secret dévoilé quelques minutes avant l’événement
Site Internet du Diner en Blanc