Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today his government will not stop calling out human rights abuses, after its criticisms of Saudi Arabia triggered a diplomatic row. "Canada will always speak strongly and clearly in private and in public on questions of human rights," the prime minister said, refusing to back down or apologize to the kingdom.

"We do not wish to have poor relations with Saudi Arabia," he added, saying Ottawa recognizes that Riyadh "has made progress when it comes to human rights." Saudi Arabia on Monday expelled Canada's ambassador, recalled its own envoy and froze all new trade and investments, after Ottawa denounced a new crackdown on rights activists in the kingdom.