"We really cannot talk about the specifics of the contract," Champagne acknowledged. Chrystia Freeland's criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record triggered a major diplomatic rift. "Saudi Arabia remains an authoritarian regime with one of the world's worst human rights records." "The human rights record of Saudi Arabia remains troubling. We will continue to advocate for human rights," he said, citing jailed dissidents and the unequal legal and political status of women in the kingdom.

Source: CBC News April 09, 2020 20:48 UTC