Foreign relations of Canada

The foreign relations of Canada are Canada's relations with other governments and nations. Canada is recognized as a middle power for its role in international affairs with a tendency to pursue multilateral solutions.^[1] Canada's foreign policy based on international peacekeeping and security is carried out through coalitions and international organizations, and through the work of numerous federal institutions.^[2][3] Canada's peacekeeping role during the 20th century has played a major role in shaping its global image.^[4][5] The Canadian government's foreign aid policy reflects an emphasis on meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, while also providing assistance in response to foreign humanitarian crises.^[6]

Canada's strong attachment to the British Empire led to major participation in British military efforts in the Second Boer War (1899–1902), World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945).^[7] Since then, Canada has been an advocate for multilateralism, making efforts to resolve global issues in collaboration with other nations.^[8][9] During the Cold War, Canada was a major contributor to UN forces in the Korean War and founded the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in cooperation with the United States to defend against potential aerial attacks from the Soviet Union.^[10]

Canada and the United States share the world's longest undefended border, cooperate on military campaigns and exercises, and are each other's largest trading partner.^[11][12] Canada has an independent foreign policy.^[13] For example, it maintains full relations with Cuba and declined to participate in the Vietnam War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.^[14] Canada maintains historic ties to the United Kingdom and France and to other former British and French colonies through Canada's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.^[15] Canada is noted for having a positive relationship with the Netherlands, owing, in part, to its contribution to the Dutch liberation during World War II.^[16]

Canada was a founding member of the United Nations and has membership in the World Trade Organization, the G20 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).^[1] Canada is also a member of various other international and regional organizations and forums for economic and cultural affairs.^[17] Canada acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976.^[18] Canada joined the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1990 and hosted the OAS General Assembly in 2000 and the 3rd Summit of the Americas in 2001.^[19] Canada seeks to expand its ties to Pacific Rim economies through membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).^[20]

History

Main article: History of Canadian foreign relations

The foreign policies of Canada and its predecessor colonies were under British control until the 20th century. This included wars with the United States in 1775-1783 and 1812–1815. Economic ties with the U.S. were always close. Political tensions arose in the 19th century from anti-British sentiment in the U.S. in the 1860s. Boundary issues caused diplomatic disputes resolved in the 1840s over the Maine boundary. and early 1900s, in the early 20th century over the Alaska boundary. There is ongoing discussion regarding the Arctic. Canada-US relations have been friendly in the 20th and 21st centuries.^[21]

Canada participated in Britain's wars, especially the Boer war, World War I and World War II. However, there was a bitter dispute between Francophone and Anglophone Canada during the First World War. Canada had its own seat in the League of Nations but played a small role in world affairs until the 1940s. Since then it has been active in NATO, the United Nations, and in promoting its middle-power status into an active role in world affairs.^[22]

Administration

In 1982, responsibility for trade was added with the creation of the Department of External Affairs and International Trade. In 1995, the name was changed to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Canada has often carried out its foreign policy through coalitions and international organizations, and through the work of numerous federal institutions (e.g.: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police International Peace Operations Branch ^[23] or deployments of personnel by the Correctional Service of Canada^[24]). Under the aegis of Canadian foreign policy, various departments and agencies conduct their own international relations and outreach activities. For example, the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence conduct defence diplomacy in support of national interests, including through the deployment of Canadian Defence Attachés,^[25] participation in bilateral and multilateral military forums (e.g., the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces), ship and aircraft visits, military training and cooperation,^[26] and other such outreach and relationship-building efforts.

There are two major elements of Canadian foreign relations, Canada-US relations and multilateralism.

Greg Donaghy, of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, argues:

Since taking power in 2006, Prime Minister Harper's government has clearly abandoned the liberal internationalism that had so often characterized Ottawa's approach to world affairs, replacing it with a new emphasis on realist notions of national interest, enhanced capabilities, and Western democratic values.^{[27][relevant?]}</ref>

Canada's international relations are the responsibility of the Department of Global Affairs, which is run by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position currently held by Melanie Joly. Traditionally the Prime Minister has played a prominent role in foreign affairs decisions. Foreign aid, formerly delivered through the Canadian International Development Agency, has been administered by DFATD since March 2013.^[28]

Foreign aid

 

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Haiti Ministerial Preparatory Conference addressing earthquake relief in Montreal, 25 January 2010

Canada's foreign aid was administered by the Canadian International Development Agency, which provided aid and assistance to other countries around the world through various methods. In March 2013 CIDA ceased to exist when it was folded into DFAIT, creating DFATD.^[28] The strategy of the Canadian government's foreign aid policy reflects an emphasis to meet the Millennium Development Goals, while also providing assistance in response to foreign humanitarian crises. However a growing focus on development, defence, and diplomacy in recent decades has produced a concentration of foreign aid funding to countries determined to be security risks to Canadian policy. For example, in 2004–2005 the largest recipients of Canada's official developmental assistance were Afghanistan and Iraq, two nations in conflict with the United States of America and its allies at the time. The structural emphasis on security and industry development has contributed to a fixed foreign policy that generally fails to consider global health and international social and economic inequalities.^[29] According to the OECD, 2019 official development assistance from Canada increased 0.5% to US$4.7 billion.^{[30][failed verification]}

In addition, although Canada's foreign aid policies has been moulded with the intentions to be in accordance to the Millennium Development Goals, its focus on human security has slowly shifted away as new policy developments arose. The foreign aid provided by the country became less "people-centered" and less health-related. Canada's contributions have been quite inconsistent with regards to human security, which indicates that the reputation that the country has built throughout the years, in fact, exceeds the country's actual record. Canada's contributions internationally have been detrimental and crucial but it needs redirecting back to its original goals.^[29]

Federalism and foreign relations

The provinces have a high level of freedom to operate internationally, dating to 1886 and Quebec's first representative to France, Hector Fabre. Alberta has had representatives abroad, starting with Alberta House in London (37 Hill Street), since 1948, and British Columbia around 25 years before that.^[31] By 1984, Quebec had offices in ten countries including eight in the United States and three in other Canadian provinces while Ontario had thirteen delegations in seven countries.^[32]

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Canada maintains diplomatic relations with:

#	Country	Date^[33]
1	United Kingdom	1 July 1926
2	United States	23 December 1926
3	France	31 January 1928
4	Japan	31 January 1928
5	Belgium	3 January 1939
6	Netherlands	3 January 1939
7	Ireland	11 September 1939
8	New Zealand	11 September 1939
9	South Africa	11 September 1939
10	Australia	2 November 1939
11	Argentina	14 November 1940
12	Brazil	14 November 1940
13	Chile	9 October 1941
—	Taiwan (terminated)	6 November 1941
14	Serbia	9 February 1942
15	Norway	9 February 1942
16	Poland	9 February 1942
17	Russia	12 June 1942
18	Czech Republic	5 November 1942
19	Greece	5 November 1942
20	Mexico	30 January 1944
21	Peru	30 January 1944
22	Sweden	4 August 1944
23	Turkey	4 August 1944
24	Luxembourg	3 January 1945
25	Cuba	16 March 1945
26	India	6 April 1945
27	Denmark	5 December 1945
28	Switzerland	1946
29	Iceland	6 June 1947^[34]
30	Italy	13 August 1947
31	Finland	21 November 1947^[35]
32	Philippines	4 December 1949
33	Pakistan	8 December 1949
34	Germany	15 December 1949
35	Uruguay	27 February 1951
36	Portugal	18 January 1952
37	Austria	9 August 1952
38	Colombia	6 November 1952
39	Venezuela	22 November 1952
40	Spain	21 February 1953
41	Indonesia	3 March 1953
42	Sri Lanka	20 August 1953
43	Dominican Republic	22 April 1954
44	Haiti	12 May 1954
45	Egypt	28 July 1954
46	Israel	28 July 1954
47	Lebanon	26 August 1954
—	Iran (suspended)	9 January 1955^[36]
48	Tunisia	9 September 1957
49	Ghana	30 October 1957
50	Malaysia	29 March 1958
51	Myanmar	9 August 1958
52	Nigeria	1 October 1960
53	Costa Rica	20 January 1961
54	Paraguay	5 February 1961
55	Ecuador	March 1961
56	Sierra Leone	27 April 1961
57	Sudan	29 May 1961
58	Bolivia	May 1961
59	Iraq	27 June 1961
60	Honduras	June 1961
61	Nicaragua	June 1961
62	Panama	11 August 1961^[37]
63	Cyprus	14 August 1961
64	Guatemala	16 September 1961
65	Thailand	8 November 1961
66	Cameroon	7 December 1961
67	Tanzania	9 December 1961
68	El Salvador	29 December 1961
69	Chad	12 February 1962
70	Republic of the Congo	February 1962
71	Gabon	February 1962
72	Guinea	28 March 1962
73	Benin	27 April 1962
74	Burkina Faso	27 April 1962
75	Ivory Coast	27 April 1962
76	Niger	27 April 1962
77	Morocco	17 May 1962
78	Senegal	1 June 1962
79	Togo	7 June 1962
80	Democratic Republic of the Congo	12 June 1962
81	Central African Republic	13 June 1962
82	Jamaica	2 August 1962^[38]
83	Uganda	9 October 1962
84	Mali	7 January 1963
85	South Korea	14 January 1963
86	Trinidad and Tobago	28 February 1963
87	Malawi	November 1963
88	Kenya	5 May 1964
89	Hungary	11 June 1964
90	Zambia	24 October 1964
91	Jordan	23 December 1964
92	Malta	23 December 1964
93	Madagascar	7 January 1965
94	Nepal	18 January 1965
95	Kuwait	27 April 1965
—	Syria (suspended)	20 May 1965
96	Ethiopia	13 October 1965
97	Algeria	12 November 1965
98	Singapore	7 March 1966
99	Guyana	26 May 1966
100	Bulgaria	4 July 1966
101	Gambia	24 August 1966
102	Barbados	30 November 1966
103	Romania	4 April 1967
104	Lesotho	27 April 1967
105	Rwanda	8 July 1967
106	Mauritius	27 August 1967
107	Somalia	23 June 1968
108	Afghanistan	17 July 1968
109	Libya	26 October 1968
110	Mauritania	12 December 1968
111	Botswana	19 December 1968
112	Eswatini	10 February 1969
113	Burundi	7 June 1969
—	Holy See	15 October 1969
114	Fiji	10 October 1970^[39]
115	China	13 October 1970
116	Liberia	24 February 1971
117	Tonga	11 June 1971
118	Samoa	11 June 1971
119	Bangladesh	14 February 1972
120	Bahamas	23 November 1972
121	Saudi Arabia	8 May 1973
122	Vietnam	21 August 1973
123	Mongolia	30 November 1973
124	Bahrain	2 February 1974
125	Oman	2 February 1974
126	Qatar	2 February 1974
127	United Arab Emirates	2 February 1974
128	Grenada	7 February 1974
129	Laos	15 June 1974
130	Mozambique	25 June 1975
131	Papua New Guinea	16 September 1975
132	Yemen	30 December 1975
133	Guinea-Bissau	26 March 1976
134	Seychelles	1 July 1976
135	Cape Verde	20 July 1976
136	Suriname	2 November 1976^[40]
137	Comoros	16 June 1977
138	Angola	3 February 1978
139	Djibouti	13 June 1978
140	Solomon Islands	7 July 1978
141	São Tomé and Príncipe	13 December 1978
142	Dominica	21 December 1978
143	Saint Lucia	22 February 1979
144	Kiribati	12 July 1979
145	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	19 September 1979
146	Zimbabwe	19 April 1980
147	Vanuatu	30 July 1980
148	Equatorial Guinea	20 August 1980
149	Tuvalu	23 September 1980
150	Antigua and Barbuda	1 November 1981
151	Belize	24 November 1981^[41]
152	Maldives	14 December 1981
153	Saint Kitts and Nevis	11 October 1983^[42]
154	Brunei	15 November 1983
155	Albania	10 September 1987
156	Namibia	21 March 1990
157	Estonia	26 August 1991
158	Latvia	26 August 1991
159	Lithuania	26 August 1991
160	Cambodia	25 November 1991^[43]
161	Slovenia	7 January 1992^[44]
162	Ukraine	27 January 1992
163	Armenia	31 January 1992
164	Kyrgyzstan	17 February 1992
165	Moldova	20 February 1992
166	Tajikistan	28 March 1992^[45]
167	Belarus	21 May 1992
168	Kazakhstan	21 May 1992
169	Turkmenistan	21 May 1992
170	Uzbekistan	21 May 1992
171	Azerbaijan	10 July 1992^[46]
172	Georgia	23 July 1992
173	Slovakia	1 January 1993^[47]
174	Croatia	14 April 1993
175	Eritrea	28 October 1993^[48]
176	Bosnia and Herzegovina	14 December 1995^[49]
177	Andorra	14 February 1996
178	Liechtenstein	12 March 1996
179	North Macedonia	4 July 1996^[50]
180	Marshall Islands	14 August 1997
181	Palau	27 August 1997
182	Nauru	11 September 1997^[51]
183	San Marino	24 November 1997^[52]
184	Federated States of Micronesia	3 March 1998
—	North Korea (suspended)	6 February 2001^[53]
185	East Timor	5 February 2003
186	Bhutan	25 June 2003^[54]
187	Montenegro	5 September 2006^[55]
188	Monaco	13 March 2008^[56]
—	Kosovo	7 April 2009^[57]
189	South Sudan	22 December 2011^[58]
—	Cook Islands	May 2023^[59]^[60]
—	Niue	12 September 2023^[61]^[62]

Bilateral relations

Africa

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Algeria	1962	See Algeria-Canada relations Algeria is Canada's top trading partner in Africa. Algeria has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal. Canada has an embassy in Algiers. See also Embassy of Algeria in Ottawa, List of ambassadors of Canada to Algeria
Angola	1978	Angola had an embassy in Ottawa, which closed in 2018.^[63] Canada is accredited to Angola from its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe. See also List of ambassadors of Canada to Angola
Burundi	1969	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1969.^[64] Both countries are full members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Cameroon	1961	Cameroon and Canada have established diplomatic ties on 7 December 1961^[65] with three agreements and four protocoles signed in 1965. Both countries share the use of English and French as the two official languages as well as memberships in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and The Commonwealth. Cameroon has a high commission in Ottawa.^[66] Canada has a high commission in Yaoundé.^[67]
Cape Verde	1976	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1976.^[68] Canada is accredited to Cape Verde from its embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Cape Verde is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Comoros	1977	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1977.^[69] Canada is accredited to the Comoros from its high commission in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Comoros is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Both countries are full members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Côte d'Ivoire	1962	See Canada–Ivory Coast relations Canada has an embassy in Abidjan. Côte d'Ivoire has an embassy in Ottawa.
Democratic Republic of the Congo		See Canada–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations Canada has an embassy in Kinshasa. DR Congo has an embassy in Ottawa.
Egypt	1954	See Canada–Egypt relations Both countries established embassies in their respective capitals in 1954. Canada has had an embassy in Cairo. Egypt has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.
Equatorial Guinea	1968	Canada is accredited to Equatorial Guinea from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.^[70] Equatorial Guinea is accredited to Canada from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
Eswatini	1968	Canada is accredited to Eswatini from its high commission in Maputo, Mozambique.^[71] Eswatini is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.^[71] Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
Ethiopia	1956	See Canada–Ethiopia relations Canada has an embassy in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia has an embassy in Ottawa.
Kenya	1965	See Canada–Kenya relations Canada has a High Commission in Nairobi. Kenya has a high commission in Ottawa.
Lesotho	1966	See Canada–Lesotho relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1966.^[72] Canada accredited to Lesotho from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.^[72] Lesotho has a high commission in Ottawa^[72] Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.
Madagascar	1965	See Canada–Madagascar relations Canada is accredited to Madagascar from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa.^[73] Madagascar has an embassy in Ottawa.^[74]
Malawi	1973	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1973.^[75] Canada is accredited to Malawi from its high commission in Maputo, Mozambique. Malawi is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Mali	1978	See Canada–Mali relations Canada has an embassy in Bamako. Mali has an embassy in Ottawa. Canada has donated one billion dollars (US$, 2007) in bilateral development aid to Mali between 1962 and 2007, ranking it Mali's fifth-largest bilateral donor. Canada's development work in Mali has been chiefly in the railways, telecommunications and hydroelectricity sectors, in the management of government decentralization, in education and health. Canada has contributed 9% towards the cost of the regional peace-keeping school, École de maintien de la paix Alioune Blondin Beye de Bamako, and has provided Canadian trainers to the school. Two industrial, open-pit gold mines in Mali, Sadiola and Yatela, are partly owned by Canadian mining company IAMGOLD Corporation, and financed in part by Canada's public pension funds. Together, they contributed to one-half of Mali's industrial gold production during 1996–2007. In 2005, there were 73 Canadian-owned mining properties in Mali. At least thirteen junior Canadian mining companies held exploration licences in Mali in 2009. Over the period 2001–2005, Canadian mining assets in Mali represented 31% of Mali's total stock of foreign direct investment. Malian-Canadian immigrants made up 0.0027% of the Canadian population in 2006.
Morocco	1956	Canada has an embassy in Rabat.^[76] Morocco has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.^[77] Both countries are full members of the Francophonie. There are 100,000 people of Moroccan descent living in Canada.
Mozambique		See Canada–Mozambique relations Canada has a high commission in Maputo. Mozambique is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Namibia		See Canada–Namibia relations Canada is accredited to Namibia from its high commission in Pretoria, South Africa. Namibia is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Nigeria	1960-10-01	Canada has a high commission in Abuja and a deputy high commission on Lagos.^[78] Nigeria has a high commission in Ottawa.^[79] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Senegal	1962	See Canada–Senegal relations Canada has an embassy in Dakar.^[80] Senegal has an embassy in Ottawa.^[81]
South Africa	1939	See Canada–South Africa relations Canada established diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including South Africa, as World War II broke out. Canada has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa has a high commission in Ottawa.
Tunisia	1957	Since May 1966, Canada has an embassy in Tunis. Since September 1969, Tunisia has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate in Montreal. Both countries are full members of the Francophonie. Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Canada (in French only)^[permanent dead link]
Zambia	1964	Canada has an office of the high commission in Lusaka. Zambia has a high commission in Ottawa. Canada currently has a development assistance program in Zambia, which is focused on the health sector to provide Zambians with equal access to quality health care. Canada and Zambia are currently in the process of negotiating a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.^[82]

Americas

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Argentina	1940-04	See Argentina–Canada relations Canada's first ambassador to Buenos Aires, began his assignment in 1945. In 2011 Canada's largest imports were decorative items gold, wines and Iron and steel pipes.^[83] Canada's largest exports to Argentina were Energy-related products; telephones sets, and fertilizers.^[83] Bilateral trade in 2014 was $2.19 billion.^[84] Both countries are members of the Organization of American States and the Cairns Group. Argentina has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Canada has an embassy in Buenos Aires.
Antigua and Barbuda	1981	Antigua & Barbuda and Canada are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967.^[85]^[86] Antigua and Barbuda is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and has a consulate-general in Toronto. The Canadian High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda.^[87]
Bahamas	1973	The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Canada are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. The Canadian High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica is accredited to the Bahamas. Canada has an honorary consul in Nassau. The Bahamas is represented by their High Commission in Ottawa.^[88] Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade about relations with the Bahamas
Barbados	1966-11-30	See Barbados–Canada relations Barbados and Canada are both members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. In 1907, the Government of Canada opened a Trade Commissioner Service to the Caribbean region located in Bridgetown, Barbados. Following Barbadian independence from the United Kingdom in November 1966, the Canadian High Commission was established in Bridgetown, Barbados in September 1973. There is a Barbadian High Commission in Ottawa and a Barbadian Consulate in Toronto. The relationship between both nations today partly falls within the larger context of Canada–Caribbean relations.
Belize	1981-09-21	The nations of Belize and Canada are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. Belize is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. Canada is accredited to Belize from its embassy in Guatemala, City, Guatemala.
Brazil	1941-05	See Brazil–Canada relations Brazil has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Canada has an embassy in Brasília and consulates-general in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. See also Embassy of Brazil in Ottawa, List of Brazilian ambassadors to Canada
Chile	1941	See Canada–Chile relations Canada and Chile are both members of: the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. Since 1997 Canada and Chile's trade relations have been governed by the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement, Chile's first full free trade agreement and Canada's first with a Latin American nation.^[89] Canada has an embassy in Santiago. Chile has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Colombia	1953-01	See Canada–Colombia relations Canada has an embassy in Bogotá. Colombia has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal and Toronto. Both countries are full members of the Organization of American States.
Cuba	1945	See Canada–Cuba relations Canada has maintained consistently cordial relations with Cuba, in spite of considerable pressure from the United States, and the island is also one of the most popular travel destinations for Canadian citizens. Canada-Cuba relations can be traced back to the 18th century, when vessels from the Atlantic provinces of Canada traded codfish and beer for rum and sugar. Cuba was the first country in the Caribbean selected by Canada for a diplomatic mission. Official diplomatic relations were established in 1945, when Emile Vaillancourt, a noted writer and historian, was designated Canada's representative in Cuba. Canada and Mexico were the only two countries in the hemisphere to maintain uninterrupted diplomatic relations with Cuba following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Canada has an embassy in Havana and honorary consuls in Varadero and Guardalavaca. Cuba has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Montreal and Toronto.
Dominica	1979	Canada and the Commonwealth of Dominica are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and the United Nations. Canada is accredited to Dominica from its high commission in Bridgetown, Barbados. Dominica is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C, United States.
El Salvador	29 December 1961	See Canada–El Salvador relations Canada has an embassy in San Salvador. El Salvador has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Greenland		See Canada-Greenland relations Greenland (within the Kingdom of Denmark), and Canada are connected through indigenous culture and language, which is shared by the Inuit across Arctic Canada and also Alaska.^[90] Both nations maintain cooperation and good relations through the Arctic Council and under the auspices of the Arctic Coastal States. In addition, both act as close partners at: Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC), Nordic Council, Nordic Atlantic Cooperation, and the West Nordic Foundation. Through the expansion of self-government in Greenland since 1979 both nations, but especially the administration at Nuuk have attached strategic importance to their bilateral relations with Canada in the areas of the politics, economic and trade relations and in the fields of education, science and culture.^[91] Canada maintains an embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, and a consulate in capital city Nuuk. Greenland maintains a non-resident office in Washington, D.C., with a Head of Representation.
Grenada	1974-02-07	See Grenada–Canada relations Canada and Grenada are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. Canada is accredited to Grenada from its high commission in Bridgetown, Barbados. Grenada is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C, United States.
Guyana	1964	See Canada–Guyana relations Canada and the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. In 1964 Canada opened the Commission of Canada in Georgetown, Guyana. In 1966 it became a Canadian High Commission. There is a Guyanese High Commission in Ottawa and a consulate in Toronto. Canada and Guyana have strong ties through the Commonwealth of Nations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Guyanese police work closely to help with drug, and human smuggling.^[92]^[93]
Haiti	1954	See Canada–Haiti relations Canada and Haiti are both members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. Canada has an embassy in Port-au-Prince. Haiti has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.
Honduras	1961	Canada has an embassy in Tegucigalpa. Honduras has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.
Jamaica	1962	See Canada–Jamaica relations Canada and Jamaica are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. Since 4 March 1963, Canada has a high commission in Kingston. Jamaica has a high commission in Ottawa.
Mexico	1944-01	See Canada–Mexico relations Despite the fact that historic ties between the two nations have been coldly dormant, relations between Canada and Mexico have positively changed in recent years; seeing as both countries brokered the North American Free Trade Agreement. Although on different sides of the Cold War spectrum (Canada was a member of NATO while Mexico was in the Non-Aligned Movement, the two countries were still allies in World War II.) Canada has an embassy in Mexico City, a consulate-general in Monterrey and a consulate in Guadalajara, plus consular agency offices in seven resort communities.^[94] Mexico has an embassy in Ottawa, with consulates general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and consulates in Calgary and Leamington.^[95] Both countries are members of USMCA, APEC, OECD and the G20. See also Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa, List of ambassadors of Canada to Mexico
Panama	1961	See Canada–Panama relations Canada has an embassy in Panama City.^[96] Panama has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates general in Montreal and Toronto.^[97] Both countries are full members of the Organization of American States.
Paraguay	1961	Canada is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and maintains an honorary consul in Asunción. Paraguay has an embassy in Ottawa.^[98] Both countries are full members of the Cairns Group and the Organization of American States.
Peru	1940	See Canada–Peru relations Canada has an embassy in Lima.^[99] Peru has an embassy in Ottawa and three consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Both countries are full members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, of the Cairns Group and of the Organization of American States. The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was adding Peru to its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid. This list includes 18 countries and the West Bank and Caribbean.^[100]
Trinidad and Tobago	1962-08-31	See Canada–Trinidad and Tobago relations Canada and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations. Canada has a high commission in Port of Spain. Trinidad and Tobago has a high commission in Ottawa.
United States	1927-02-18	See Canada–United States relations Relations between Canada and the United States span more than two centuries, marked by a shared British colonial heritage, conflict during the early years of the U.S., and the eventual development of one of the most successful international relationships in the modern world. The most serious breach in the relationship was the War of 1812, which saw an American invasion of then British North America and counter invasions from British-Canadian forces. The border was demilitarized after the war and, apart from minor raids, has remained peaceful. Military collaboration began during the World Wars and continued throughout the Cold War, despite Canadian doubts about certain American policies. A high volume of trade and migration between the U.S. and Canada has generated closer ties, despite continued Canadian fears of being overwhelmed by its neighbour, which is ten times larger in population, wealth and debt.^[101] Canada and the United States are currently the world's largest trading partners, share the world's longest shared border,^[102] and have significant interoperability within the defence sphere. See also Embassy of the United States in Ottawa, Embassy of Canada in Washington, United States Ambassador to Canada, List of ambassadors of Canada to the United States
Uruguay	1953-01	See Canada–Uruguay relations Canada has an embassy in Montevideo. Uruguay has an embassy in Ottawa, and consulates general in Montreal and Toronto, and an honorary consul in Vancouver.
Venezuela	1953-01	See Canada–Venezuela relations In February 1948 there was a Canadian consulate-general in Caracas and a Venezuelan consulate-general in Montreal. In that year the Venezuelan Consul General, on behalf of the government of Venezuela, made a rapprochement with Canada in order to open direct diplomatic representations between the two countries;^[103] but the Canadian government delayed the opening of a diplomatic mission in Venezuela because of the lack of enough suitable personnel to staff a Canadian mission in Venezuela and the impossibility of Canada beginning a representation in Venezuela in that year without considering a policy of expansion of Canadian representation abroad.^[104] In the interest of protecting Canadian trade with Venezuela and considering the difficulties for business in being without a Canadian representation in Caracas, Canada was pushed to accept the Venezuelan offer of exchanging diplomatic missions.^[105] Finally Canada elevated the former office of the Canadian Consulate General in Caracas to the category of embassy in 1953.^[106] Venezuela established an embassy in Canada in 1952.^[107] Since then there have been good commercial relations between the two countries, especially in technology, oil and gas industry, telecommunications and others. In June 2019, Canada closed its embassy in Caracas due to diplomatic visas unable to be renewed under President Maduro's government.^[108] Venezuela has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Asia

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Afghanistan	1960s 1968 (officially)	See Afghanistan–Canada relations The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was adding Afghanistan to its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid.^[100] Afghanistan has an embassy in Ottawa. Canada had an embassy in Kabul. See also: War in Afghanistan, Embassy of Canada in Kabul, List of ambassadors of Canada to Afghanistan
Armenia	1992	See Armenia–Canada relations Armenia has an embassy in Ottawa. Canada has an embassy in Yerevan.^[109]
Azerbaijan	1992	See Azerbaijan–Canada relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Ottawa. Canada is accredited to Azerbaijan from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Bangladesh	1972	See Bangladesh–Canada relations Bangladesh has a high commission in Ottawa. Canada has a high commission in Dhaka.
Brunei	1984-05-07	See Brunei–Canada relations Brunei has its high commission in Ottawa. Canada has its high commission in Bandar Seri Begawan. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations
China	1970-10-13	See Canada–China relations Since 2003, China has emerged as Canada's second largest trading partner, passing Britain and Japan. China now accounts for approximately six percent of Canada's total world trade. According to a recent study by the Fraser Institute, China replaced Japan as Canada's third-largest export market in 2007, with CA$9.3 billion flowing into China in 2007. Between 1998 and 2007, exports to China grew by 272 percent, but only represented about 1.1 per cent of China's total imports. In 2007, Canadian imports of Chinese products totalled C$38.3 billion. Between 1998 and 2007, imports from China grew by almost 400 percent.^[110] Leading commodities in the trade between Canada and China include chemicals, metals, industrial and agricultural machinery and equipment, wood products, and fish products.^[111] Trade tariffs and other incidents in 2019, including the arrest of top Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou^[112] have frozen relations between the two countries. In July 2019, the UN ambassadors from 22 nations, including Canada, signed a joint letter to the UNHRC condemning China's mistreatment of the Uyghurs as well as its mistreatment of other minority groups, urging the Chinese government to close the Xinjiang re-education camps.^[113] Canada has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai. China has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. See also Embassy of China in Ottawa, List of ambassadors of Canada to China
Georgia	1992-07-23	See Canada–Georgia relations Canada is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey and maintains an honorary consul in Tbilisi. Georgia has an embassy in Ottawa.
India	1947-08-15	See Canada–India relations In 2004, bilateral trade between India and Canada was at about C$2.45 billion.^[114] However, India's Smiling Buddha nuclear test led to connections between the two countries being frozen, with allegations that India broke the terms of the Colombo Plan.^[115] Although Jean Chrétien and Roméo LeBlanc both visited India in the late 1990s, relations were again halted after the Pokhran-II tests.^[115] In 2023, Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of a Sikh-Canadian leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. “Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” the Prime Minister stated to the House of Commons.^[116] Canada has a high commission in New Delhi and has a consulate-general in Mumbai. India has a high commission in Ottawa and consulates-general in Toronto and Vancouver.
Indonesia	1952	See Canada–Indonesia relations Canada has an embassy in Jakarta.^[117] Indonesia has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Toronto and Vancouver.^[118] Both countries are full members of the G-20 major economies, of the Cairns Group and of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Iran	1955 ended 2012	See Canada–Iran relations Canadian-Iranian relations date back to 1955, up to which point the Canadian Consular and Commercial Affairs in Iran was handled by the British Embassy. A Canadian diplomatic mission was constructed in Tehran in 1959 and raised to embassy status in 1961. Due to rocky relations after the Iranian Revolution, Iran did not establish an embassy in Canada until 1991 when its staff, which had been living in a building on Roosevelt Avenue in Ottawa's west end, moved into 245 Metcalfe Street in the Centretown neighbourhood of Ottawa which was upgraded to embassy status, however in 2012, Canada severed all diplomatic ties with Iran in regard to Iran's treatment of human rights. Canada has an interest section in Tehran. Iran has an interest section in Ottawa.
Iraq	1961-02 to 1991–12 2005–06	See Canada and the Iraq War, Embassy of Iraq in Ottawa Canada has an embassy in Baghdad. Iraq has an embassy in Ottawa.
Israel	1950	See Canada–Israel relations At the United Nations in 1947, Canada was one of the thirty-three countries that voted in favour of the creation of a Jewish homeland. Canada delayed granting de facto recognition to Israel until December 1948, and finally gave full de jure recognition to the new nation on 11 May 1949, only after it was admitted into the United Nations (UN). A week later, Avraham Harman became Israel's first consul general in Canada. In September 1953, the Canadian Embassy opened in Tel Aviv and Israeli Ambassador to Canada, Michael Comay, was appointed, although a non-resident Canadian Ambassador to Israel was not appointed until 1958. Canada has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal and Toronto. See also: Embassy of Israel in Ottawa, List of ambassadors of Canada to Israel
Japan	1928-12	See Canada–Japan relations The two countries enjoy an amicable companionship in many areas; diplomatic relations between both countries officially began in 1950 with the opening of the Japanese consulate in Ottawa. In 1929, Canada opened its Tokyo legation, the first in Asia;^[119] and in that same year, Japan its Ottawa consulate to legation form.^[120] Canada has an embassy in Tokyo and a consulate-general in Nagoya. Japan has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. See also: Embassy of Japan in Ottawa, Embassy of Canada in Tokyo, List of ambassadors of Canada to Japan
Kazakhstan	1992	See Canada–Kazakhstan relations Canada has an embassy in Astana and a consulate in Almaty. Kazakhstan has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate in Toronto. Canada has designated Kazakhstan as a priority emerging market for bilateral trade.^[121]
Kyrgyzstan	1992	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.^[122] Canada is accredited to Kyrgyzstan from its embassy in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Lebanon	1954	See Canada–Lebanon relations Canada established diplomatic relations with Lebanon in 1954, when Canada deployed "Envoy Extraordinaire" to Beirut. In 1958, Canada sent its first ambassador. The embassy was closed in 1985 and reopened in January 1995. Lebanon opened a consulate in Ottawa in 1946. A consulate-general replaced the consulate in 1949, and it was upgraded to full embassy status in 1958. Canada has an embassy in Beirut.^[123] Lebanon has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.^[124]
Malaysia	1957-08-31^[125]	See Canada–Malaysia relations Canada has a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia has a High Commission in Ottawa. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Canada's trade relationship with Malaysia includes commerce across several sectors.^[126]
Mongolia	1973-11-30	See Canada–Mongolia relations Canada is represented in Mongolia through its embassy in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia has an embassy in Ottawa. Though Canada and Mongolia established diplomatic ties in 1973, ad hoc linkages and minor activities occurred between the two countries mainly through the Canada-Mongolia Society, which disbanded in 1980. When Mongolia formed a democratic government in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Canada began to support Mongolia with donor activities through the International Development Research Centre, Canadian International Development Agency and several non-governmental organizations.^[127]
North Korea	2001-02-06 to 2010-03-26	See Canada–North Korea relations Canada and North Korea share very little trade due to the destabilizing element North Korea has caused in the Asia Pacific region. Canada is represented by the Canadian Ambassador resident in Seoul, and North Korea is represented through its office at the UN in New York City.
Pakistan	1947-08-15	See Canada–Pakistan relations Canada has a high commission in Islamabad and consulate in Karachi. Pakistan has a high commission in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. The value of the bilateral trade relationship between Pakistan and Canada was close to C$694 million in 2007.^[128] There are an estimated 300,000 Pakistanis living in Canada.^[129] See also Pakistani Canadian, High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa
Philippines	1949	See Canada–Philippines relations Canada has an embassy in Manila and an honorary consul in Cebu City.^[130] Philippines has an embassy in Ottawa, two consulates general in Toronto and Vancouver, and honorary consuls (from west to east) in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Charlottetown, Halifax and St. John's.^[131] Both countries are full members of the Cairns Group and of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. There are 411,000 people of Filipino descent living in Canada.
Qatar		See Canada–Qatar relations Canada has an embassy in Doha.^[132] Qatar has an embassy in Ottawa.^[133]
Saudi Arabia	1973-05	See Canada–Saudi Arabia relations Saudi Arabia is Canada's second largest trade partner among the seven countries of the Arabian Peninsula,^[134] totalling more than $2 billion in trade in 2005,^[135] nearly double its value in 2002, trade totalled $3.8 in 2014.^[136] Canada chiefly imports petroleum, and oil from Saudi Arabia, while The largest exporting good are such as cereals, railway/tramway equipment; machinery equipment and paper in 2010.^[137] Canada has an embassy in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Ottawa. See also Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa
Singapore	1965-12-15	See Canada–Singapore relations Canada has a high commission in Singapore.^[138] Singapore is represented in Canada through its embassy to the United Nations in New York City and through a consulate-general in Vancouver. Both countries are full members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and of the Commonwealth of Nations.
South Korea	1963-01-14^[139]	See Canada–South Korea relations Canadian soldiers participated in the defence of South Korea during the Korean War. Canada has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Both countries are full members of the APEC, the OECD and the G20.
Taiwan	1949–1970 official 1991-quasi-official	See Canada–Taiwan relations The Government of Canada has a representative office in Taipei dealing with quasi-official affairs.^[140] Taiwan has an Economic and Cultural Office in Canada in Ottawa,^[141] consulate offices in Toronto^[142] and Vancouver.^[143] Taiwan External Trade Development Council also has offices in Toronto and Vancouver.^[144] Both countries are full members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Tajikistan	1992	Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Canada is accredited to Tajikistan from its embassy in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Tajikistan is accredited to Canada from it embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
Thailand	1947	See Canada-Thailand relations Canada has an embassy in Bangkok and a consulate in Chiang Mai.^[145] Thailand has an embassy in Ottawa, consulates general in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal, and Thai Trade Centre Offices in Vancouver and Toronto.^[146] Both countries are full members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Canada is a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Turkey	1943^[147]	See Canada–Turkey relations Canada has an embassy in Ankara and a Consulate General in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Ottawa and Consulate Generals in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Both countries are members of OECD, G20, NATO and WTO. There are direct flights from Istanbul to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver (starting in December 2020).^[147] Around 65,000 people of Turkish origin live in Canada.^[147] Trade volume between the two countries was US$2.46 billion in 2019.^[147]
United Arab Emirates		See Canada–United Arab Emirates relations Canada has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto.
Vietnam	1973-08-21	See Canada–Vietnam relations Since 1994, Canada has an embassy in Hanoi and since 1997 a general consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.^[148] Vietnam has an embassy in Ottawa. Both countries are full members of the Francophonie and of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. There are 152,000 people of people of Vietnamese descent living in Canada. Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Canada
Yemen	1975-12 (North Yemen) 1976-05 (South Yemen) 1989-09 (united Yemen)	Canada is represented in Yemen by its embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Yemen has an embassy in Ottawa. Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade about relations with Yemen

Europe

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Albania	1987-09-10	See Albania–Canada relations The Canadian embassy in Rome is accredited to Albania. Canada has an honorary consul in Tirana. Albania is represented by their embassy in Ottawa.^[149] Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade about relations with Albania
Belarus	15 April 1992^[150]	Belarus had an embassy in Ottawa but was closed as of September 1, 2021, as a result of Canada's condemnation of the forced grounding of Ryanair Flight 4978^[151]^[152] Canada is accredited to Belarus from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
Belgium	1939-01	See Belgium–Canada relations Belgium has an embassy in Ottawa, two consulates (in Montreal and Toronto), and four honorary consuls (in Edmonton, Halifax, Vancouver and Winnipeg) located in Canada. Belgium's three regions (Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels) each have their own offices in the Montreal consulate. Wallonia also has a second office in the Toronto consulate, which also represents Flanders and Brussels. Canada has an embassy in Brussels. Canada also has an honorary consulate in Antwerp, and Quebec maintains its own separate delegation in Brussels. The Canadian delegations to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are located in Belgium, as Belgium houses the headquarters of each. Luxembourg is often dealt with in tandem to Belgium. Belgium and Canada are member states of a variety of international organizations. They include: the United Nations, NATO, La Francophonie, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.^[153]
Bulgaria		Bulgaria has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto.^[154]^[155] Canada has an honorary consul in Sofia, and is represented through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania) for diplomatic matters. Both countries are members of NATO.
Croatia	1993-04-14	Canada has an embassy in Zagreb.^[156] Croatia has an embassy in Ottawa, a consulate general (in Mississauga, Ontario) and an honorary consul (in Montreal).^[157] In September 1993 Canadian peacekeepers in the Balkans encountered Croatian forces engaged in campaign against Serbs in Croatia called Operation Medak Pocket, and claim to have engaged them in a firefight. This version of events is disputed by Croatian media outlets. See also Embassy of Croatia in Ottawa, Canadians of Croatian ancestry Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Canada
Cyprus	1960-08-16	See Canada–Cyprus relations Canadian bilateral political relations with Cyprus stemmed initially from Cypriot Commonwealth membership at independence in 1960 (that had followed a guerrilla struggle with Britain). These relations quickly expanded in 1964 when Canada became a major troop contributor to UNFICYP. The participation lasted for the next 29 years, during which 50,000 Canadian soldiers served and 28 were killed. In large measure Canadian relations with Cyprus continue to revolve around support for the ongoing efforts of the UN, G8 and others to resolve the island's divided status. Canada has an honorary consul in Nicosia. Cyprus has a high commission in Ottawa.
Czech Republic	1993	See Canada–Czech Republic relations Canada has an embassy in Prague. Czech Republic has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal and Toronto and honorary consuls (in Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg).
Denmark	1949-10-14	See Canada–Denmark relations Canada has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[158] Denmark has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate general in Toronto.^[159] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the Arctic Council. There are more than 200,000 Canadians with Danish ancestry. Recent issues between Canada and Denmark involve the claim of Hans Island.
Estonia	1922	Office of the Embassy of Canada to Estonia in Tallinn Canada recognised Estonia in 1922 and re-recognised Estonia on 26 August 1991. Canada is represented in Estonia through its embassy in Riga (Latvia) and an honorary consul in Tallinn. Estonia has an embassy in Ottawa and four honorary consuls (in Montreal, Vancouver, and two in Toronto).^[160] There are around 22,000 Canadians of Estonian descent.
Finland	1947-11-21	See Canada–Finland relations   Office of the Embassy of Canada to Finland in Helsinki Canada has an embassy in Helsinki. Finland has an embassy in Ottawa and 13 honorary consuls (from west to east) in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Sudbury, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax. With their 13 consulates across Canada, Finland is the most represented foreign country in Canada. Both countries are full members of the Arctic Council. There are around 143,645 Finnish Canadians. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Canada 6 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
France	1882	See Canada–France relations Canada and the Republic of France are members of: the Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the G8, the G20, NATO, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and the United Nations. In the 2007 and 2008, French President Nicolas Sarkozy,^[161] Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Quebec Premier Jean Charest^[162] all spoke in favour of a Canada – EU free trade agreement. In October 2008, Sarkozy became the first French President to address the National Assembly of Quebec. In his speech he spoke out against Quebec separatism, but recognized Quebec as a nation within Canada. He said that, to France, Canada was a friend, and Quebec was family.^[161] Canada has an embassy in Paris. France has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Moncton, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Vancouver. See also: Embassy of France in Ottawa, Embassy of Canada in Paris, List of French ambassadors to Canada, List of ambassadors of Canada to France
Germany		See Canada–Germany relations Until 2005 Canada's embassy was in Bonn, but in April 2005 a new embassy opened in Berlin. Canada also operates consulates in Munich, Düsseldorf and Hamburg. The provinces of Ontario and Alberta have representatives in Germany, co-located in the consulates. Quebec runs a stand-alone bureau in Munich, with an "antenne culturelle" office in Berlin. In addition to its embassy in Ottawa, Germany maintains consulates in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Additional diplomats responsible for specialized files are also accredited from Washington. See also: Embassy of Canada in Berlin, Embassy of Germany in Ottawa
Greece	1937	See also Canada–Greece relations The nations first exchanged ambassadors in 1942. Both countries are members of the United Nations, the Human Security Network, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and NATO. Greece has an embassy in Ottawa, as well as consulates general in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.^[163] Canada has an embassy in Athens and an honorary consul in Thessaloniki.^[164] See also: Embassy of Greece in Ottawa Greek Ministry of Foreign Affaires about relations with Canada 12 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
Holy See	1969	See Canada–Holy See relations Although the Roman Catholic Church has been territoriality established in Canada since the founding of New France in the early 17th century, Holy See–Canada relations were only officially established under the papacy of Paul VI in the 1960s. Canada has an embassy in Rome accredited to the Holy See. Holy See has an apostolic nunciature in Ottawa.
Hungary	1964	See Canada–Hungary relations Canada has an embassy in Budapest.^[165] Hungary has an embassy in Ottawa, a consulate general in Toronto and six honorary consuls (from west to east) in Vancouver (two), Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal.^[166]^[167]^[168] Both countries are full members of NATO.
Iceland	1942	See Canada–Iceland relations Iceland's first honorary consulate was established in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1942. In May 2001, Iceland opened an embassy in Ottawa and upgrade its Winnipeg mission to an official consulate.^[169]^[170] In November 2001, Canada opened an embassy in Reykjavík, before then it was represented by their embassy in Oslo (Norway) and an honorary consul in Reykjavík.^[171] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the Arctic Council.
Ireland	1929-12-28	See Canada–Ireland relations Canada and Ireland enjoy friendly relations, the importance of these relations centres on the history of Irish migration to Canada. Roughly 4 million Canadians have Irish ancestors, or approximately 14% of Canada's population. Canada has an embassy in Dublin. Ireland has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Toronto and Vancouver. See also: Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, List of ambassadors and high commissioners of Canada to Ireland
Italy	1947	See Canada–Italy relations Canada has an embassy in Rome, and honorary consuls (in Milan and Udine).^[172] Italy has an embassy in Ottawa, and consulates general (in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver).^[173]^[174]^[175] Both countries are full members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the G8, and NATO. There are around 1,500,000 people of Italian descent living in Canada.
Kosovo	2009-04-07	See also International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Canada recognized Kosovo on 18 March 2008.^[176] Canada is accredited to Kosovo from its embassy in Zagreb, Croatia. Kosovo has an embassy in Ottawa.
Latvia	1921	See Canada–Latvia relations Canada re-recognized Latvia's independence on 26 August 1991. Restored relations on 3 September 1991. Canada has an embassy in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Ottawa and honorary consuls in Quebec City and Toronto.
Lithuania	1921	Canada has an embassy office in Vilnius, but that reports to the embassy in Riga (Latvia).^[177] Lithuania has an embassy in Ottawa and honorary consuls in Montreal and Vancouver.^[178] Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of NATO. Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list bilateral treaties with Canada in Lithuanian only 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
Luxembourg		Canada is represented in Luxembourg through its embassy in Brussels (Belgium)and an honorary consul in Luxembourg City.^[179] Luxembourg is represented in Canada through its embassy in Washington, D.C. (US), and honorary consuls (in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver).^[180] Canada often deals with Luxembourg in tandem with Belgium.^[citation needed] Both countries are full members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and of NATO.
Malta	1964	Canada is accredited to Malta from its embassy in Rome, Italy and maintains an honorary consul in Valletta. Malta is accredited to Canada from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States. The Ambassador of Malta to the United States also serves as High Commissioner of Malta to Canada. Malta has a consulate general in Toronto and four honorary consuls in (from west to east) Vancouver, Edmonton, Laval and St. John's.^[181] Canada hosts a large Maltese immigrant community. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Netherlands	1939-01	See Canada–Netherlands relations Canada has an embassy in The Hague. The Netherlands has an embassy in Ottawa, and consulates general in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
North Macedonia	1995	North Macedonia and Canada established diplomatic relations on 4 July 1996. Canada is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. North Macedonia has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto.
Norway	1942	See Canada–Norway relations Canada has an embassy in Oslo. Norway has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Both countries are full members of the Arctic Council, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, of NATO and of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Poland	1935	See Canada–Poland relations The Canada-Poland diplomatic relationship goes back from the first bilateral agreement, a Convention on Merchant Shipping, which was signed in 1935. Canada has an embassy in Warsaw. Poland has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates general (in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver). There are over 800,000 Polish-Canadians living in Canada. Both countries are full members of NATO and OECD.
Portugal	January 1952	See Canada–Portugal relations Canada has an embassy in Lisbon. Portugal has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Romania	1967-04-03	See Canada–Romania relations Canada sent its first resident ambassador in December 1976, and has an embassy in Bucharest.^[182] Romania has an embassy in Ottawa, opened in 1967, and consulates general (in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver).^[183] Both countries are members of NATO. See also: Canadians of Romanian descent, Embassy of Canada in Bucharest, Embassy of Romania in Ottawa Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade Office about relations with Romania Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Canada
Russia	1942-06-12	See Canada–Russia relations Canada and Russia benefit from extensive cooperation on trade and investment, energy, democratic development and governance, security and counter-terrorism, northern issues, and cultural and academic exchanges. Canada has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal and Toronto
Serbia		Canada has an embassy in Belgrade.^[184] Serbia has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate general in Toronto and honorary consuls (in Montreal and Vancouver).^[185]^[186] There are around 150,000 people of Serbian descent living in Canada. Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade about relations with Serbia Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Canada
Slovakia	1993-01-01	Canada is accredited to Slovakia from its embassy in Prague, Czech Republic.^[187] Slovakia has an embassy in Ottawa.^[188] Both countries are full members of NATO. There are around 100,000 people of Slovak descent living in Canada.
Slovenia		Canada recognized Slovenian independence in January 1992, and established diplomatic relations a year later. Canada is accredited to Slovenia from its embassy in Budapest, Hungary, and through an honorary consul in Ljubljana. Slovenia has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto. Both countries are full members of NATO.^[189] There are more than 35,000 Slovenes who live in Canada.
Spain	1935	See Canada–Spain relations Canada has an embassy in Madrid and consulates in Barcelona and Málaga.^[190] Spain has an embassy in Ottawa^[191] and consulates-general in Montreal^[192] and Toronto.^[193] Both countries are full members of NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. There are 213,000 people of Spanish descent living in Canada. In 1995, a fishing dispute between the two countries broke out after Canadian Officials boarded a Spanish vessel in international waters. Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation about relations with Canada (in Spanish only)
Sweden		See Canada–Sweden relations Both countries have strong commitments to peacekeeping, UN reform, development assistance, environmental protection, sustainable development, and the promotion and protection of human rights.^[dubious ] In additional, there are more than 300,000 Canadians of Swedish descent.^[194] Canada has an embassy in Stockholm and honorary consulates in Gothenburg and Malmö. Sweden has an embassy in Ottawa and ten honorary consulates in Calgary, Edmonton, Fredericton, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Regina, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
Switzerland	1945	See Canada–Switzerland relations The first Swiss consulate opened in Montreal in 1875. Canada has an embassy in Bern and a United Nations mission in Geneva.^[195] Switzerland has an embassy in Ottawa, and consulates general (in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) and honorary consuls (in Calgary, Halifax, Quebec City and Winnipeg).^[196] Both countries are full members of the Francophonie. Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade Department about relations with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Canada
Ukraine	1992	See Canada–Ukraine relations, Embassy of Ukraine in Ottawa Diplomatic relations were established between Canada and Ukraine on 27 January 1992.^[197] Canada opened its embassy in Kyiv^[198] In April 1992, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Ottawa opened in October of that same year,^[199] paid for mostly by donations from the Ukrainian-Canadian community. Ukraine opened a consulate general in Toronto in 1993^[199]^[200] and announced plans to open another in Edmonton in 2008.^[201] The main bilateral agreement signed between the two governments is the joint declaration of the "Special Partnership" between the two countries signed in 1994 and renewed in 2001.^[199] Canada has an embassy in Kyiv and a consulate in Lviv. Ukraine has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto.
United Kingdom	1880	See Canada–United Kingdom relations Canada and the United Kingdom are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the UK-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the G20, NATO, and the United Nations. London and Ottawa enjoy cooperative and intimate contact, which has grown deeper over the years; the two countries are related through history, the Commonwealth of Nations, and their sharing of the same Head of State and monarch. Canada has a high commission in London. United Kingdom has a high commission in Ottawa and consulates-general in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. See also: High Commission of the United Kingdom in Ottawa, High Commission of Canada in London, List of high commissioners of the United Kingdom to Canada, List of high commissioners of Canada to the United Kingdom

Oceania

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Australia	1939-09-12	See Australia–Canada relations The Commonwealth of Australia and Canada are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the G20, and the United Nations. Australia has a high commission in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto and a consulate in Vancouver Canada has a high commission in Canberra and a consulate-general in Sydney. See also High Commission of Australia in Ottawa, High Commission of Canada in Australia, List of high commissioners of Australia to Canada, List of high commissioners of Canada to Australia
New Zealand	1942	See Canada–New Zealand relations Canada and New Zealand are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the G20, and the United Nations. New Zealand and Canada have a longstanding relationship that has been fostered by both countries' shared history and culture, by their membership the Commonwealth of Nations and links between residents of both countries. The two countries have a common Head of State, currently King Charles III. New Zealand and Canada also have links through business or trade relations, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and mutual treaty agreements. New Zealand-Canada relations are important to both countries. Canada has a high commission in Wellington and a consulate in Auckland. New Zealand has a high commission in Ottawa and a trade office in Vancouver. See also List of high commissioners of New Zealand to Canada, List of high commissioners of Canada to New Zealand
Solomon Islands	7 July 1978	Canada and the Solomon Islands are two of fifteen commonwealth realms, members of: the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1978.^[202] Canada is accredited to the Solomon Islands from its high commission in Wellington, New Zealand. Solomon Islands is accredited to Canada from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City, New York. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Other bilateral and plurilateral relations

One important difference between Canadian and American foreign policy has been in relations with communist governments. Canada established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (13 October 1970) long before the Americans did (1 January 1979). It also has maintained trade and diplomatic relations with communist Cuba, despite pressures from the United States.

Arms Control

Main article: Canadian Arms trade

 

Countries on the Canadian Automatic Firearms Country Control List

Canadian Government guidance for export controls on weapons systems is published by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.^[203][204] Automatic Firearms Country Control List, comprises a list of approved export nations which include as of 2014; (Albania, Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States).

Selected dates of diplomatic representation abroad

• Australia – 1939 – first high commissioner Charles Burchell
• Belgium – January 1939 – first ambassador Jean Désy
• China – 1943 – first ambassador General Victor Odlum
• France – 1882 – agent without diplomatic status Hector Fabre
• France – 1928 – first minister Philippe Roy
• France – 1944 – first ambassador George Philias Vanier
• International Criminal Court – 2003 – first Judge-President Philippe Kirsch
• Japan – May 1929 – first minister Sir Herbert Marler
• Mexico – January 1944 – first ambassador William Ferdinand Alphonse Turgeon
• Netherlands – January 1939 – first ambassador Jean Désy
• Newfoundland – 1941 – first high commissioner Charles Burchell
• United Kingdom – 1880 – first high commissioner Sir Alexander Galt
• United Nations – first ambassador General Andrew McNaughton
• United States of America – 1926 – first minister Vincent Massey

Multilateralism

 

Constable Lorant Haged, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and instructor at the leadership and management course, looks at a target after the Afghan National Police (ANP) ceased fire at a 9mm familirization range 3 Dec.. The ANP are attending a six-month Leadership and Management course where they will also take a criminal Investigation course, leadership and management classes and Rule of Law. The intent of the school is teach the ANP officers and leaders at an advanced level of training that will help them become more effective in running police sub-stations.

Canada is and has been a strong supporter of multilateralism. The country is one of the world's leading peacekeepers, sending soldiers under the U.N. authority around the world.^[205] Canadian former Minister of Foreign Affairs and subsequent Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson, is credited for his contributions to modern international peacekeeping, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957.^[206] Canada is committed to disarmament, and is especially noted for its leadership in the 1997 Convention in Ottawa on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines.^[207]

In the last century Canada has made efforts to reach out to the rest of the world and promoting itself as a "middle power" able to work with large and small nations alike. This was demonstrated during the Suez Crisis when Lester B. Pearson mollified the tension by proposing peacekeeping efforts and the inception of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. In that spirit, Canada developed and has tried to maintain a leading role in UN peacekeeping efforts.^[208]

Canada has long been reluctant to participate in military operations that are not sanctioned by the United Nations, such as the Vietnam War or the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, but does join in sanctioned operations such as the first Gulf War, Afghanistan and Libya. It participated with its NATO and OAS allies in the Kosovo Conflict and in Haiti respectively.

Despite Canada's track record as a liberal democracy that has embraced the values of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Canada has not been involved in any major plan for Reform of the United Nations Security Council; although the Canadian government does support UN reform, in order to strengthen UN efficiency and effectiveness.^[209]

Canada hosted the third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City.

Canada is working on setting up military bases around the world, while reducing aid and diplomatic efforts.^[210][211] In the late 90s, Canada actively promoted the notion of human security as an alternative to business-as-usual approaches to foreign aid. However, by invoking the "three Ds" (defense, diplomacy, and development) as the fundamental basis for Canadian foreign policy, and then implementing this in a manner that conforms more to military security and trade interests, Canada has successfully distanced itself from the humanitarian objectives of foreign aid, with the human security goal far from being achieved. ^[212] Under the Harper government, emphasis on promoting Canada's military presence internationally has included an effort to rebrand Canada historically as a "warrior nation", in large measure to counter the image of only supporting peacekeeping and multilateralism.^[213]

Canada’s relations within the Americas

Canada joined the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1990 and has been an active member, hosting the OAS General Assembly in Windsor, Ontario, in June 2000.

Canada–Caribbean relations

Main article: Canada–Caribbean relations

Many Caribbean Community countries turn to Canada as a valued partner.^[214] Canadians, particularly Canadian banks and utility companies play an important economic role in the development of former British West Indies colonies. Efforts to improve trade have included the idea of concluding a free trade agreement to replace the 1986 bilateral CARIBCAN agreement. At various times, several Caribbean countries have also considered joining Canadian Confederation as new provinces or territories, although no Caribbean nation has implemented such a proposal. Note that many Caribbean countries are also involved in the Commonwealth of Nations, below.

Canada–Commonwealth of Nations

Main articles: Canada–United Kingdom relations, Canada–New Zealand relations, and Australia–Canada relations

Canada maintains close links to the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, with which Canada has strong historic ties and shares a monarch. It also remains a member of the Commonwealth.

Canada–Europe and Canada–European Union relations

Main articles: Canada–European Union relations and Transatlantic relations

Canada is an active participant in discussions stemming from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

International organizations

 

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at 2015 G7 summit with Shinzō Abe, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, François Hollande, David Cameron, and Matteo Renzi in Bavaria, Germany.

Canada is a member of the following organizations:^[215]

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) (nonregional member)
• African Development Bank (AfDB) (nonregional member)
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
• Arctic Council
• ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
• Association of Caribbean States (ACS) (observer and partner)
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (dialogue partner)
• Australia Group
• Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
• Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) (nonregional member)
• Caribbean Postal Union (CPU)
• Commonwealth of Nations
• Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC)
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
• Group of Seven (G7) –
• Group of Eight (G8)
• Group of Ten (G-10)
• Group of Twenty (G-20)
• Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) (also known as the World Bank)
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• International Criminal Court (ICCt)
• International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM)
• International Development Association (IDA)
• International Energy Agency (IEA)
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS)
• International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO)
• Interpol (organization) (Interpol)
• International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO)
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
• Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
• MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti)
• MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
• Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
• Organization of American States (OAS)
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF)
• Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
• Paris Club
• ParlAmericas
• Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
• Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) (partner)
• Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal
• Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) (observer)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS)
• United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
• United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
• World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
• Universal Postal Union (UPU)
• World Customs Organization (WCO)
• World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Zangger Committee

Relations with international groups

Organization	Main article	Mission of Canada	Heads of mission from Canada
North Atlantic Treaty Organization	Canada–NATO relations	Mission of Canada to the North Atlantic Council (Brussels)	List of permanent representatives of Canada to NATO
Organization of American States	Canada–Latin America relations	Mission of Canada to the Organization of American States (Washington, D.C.)	List of permanent representatives and observers of Canada to the Organization of American States
United Nations	Canada and the United Nations	Mission of Canada to: the UN in New York, the UN in Geneva, the UN in Nairobi, UNESCO in Paris, the FAO in Rome, the ICAO in Montreal	List of ambassadors of Canada to the United Nations

Organizations with headquarters in Canada

• International Air Transport Association
•   International Civil Aviation Organization
• Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization
• North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission
• United Nations Association in Canada

Major treaties signed in Canada

• Ottawa Treaty or Mine Ban Treaty (1997)
• Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)
• Great Peace of Montreal (1701)

Territorial and boundary disputes

Further information: Former colonies and territories in Canada

 

Secretary Kerry Chats With Arctic Council Chairman Leona Aglukkaq, Nunavut Territory Premier Peter Taptuna, and Northwest Territory Premier Robert McLeod in Iqaluit, Canada

Canada and the United States have negotiated the boundary between the countries over many years, with the last significant agreement having taken place in 1984 when the International Court of Justice ruled on the maritime boundary in the Gulf of Maine. Likewise, Canada and France had previously contested the maritime boundary surrounding the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, but accepted a 1992 International Court of Arbitration ruling.

Remaining disputes include managed maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island).

Arctic disputes

 

Northwest Passage routes

A long-simmering dispute between Canada and the U.S. involves the issue of Canadian sovereignty over the Northwest Passage (the sea passages in the Arctic).^{[citation needed]} Canada's assertion that the Northwest Passage represents internal (territorial) waters has been challenged by other countries, especially the U.S., which argue that these waters constitute an international strait (international waters). Canadians were incensed when Americans drove the reinforced oil tanker Manhattan through the Northwest Passage in 1969, followed by the icebreaker Polar Sea in 1985, both without asking for Canadian permission.^{[citation needed]} In 1970, the Canadian government enacted the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, which asserts Canadian regulatory control over pollution within a 100-nautical-mile (190 km) zone. In response, the Americans in 1970 stated, "We cannot accept the assertion of a Canadian claim that the Arctic waters are internal waters of Canada.... Such acceptance would jeopardize the freedom of navigation essential for United States naval activities worldwide." A compromise was reached in 1988, by an agreement on "Arctic Cooperation," which pledges that voyages of American icebreakers "will be undertaken with the consent of the Government of Canada." However the agreement did not alter either country's basic legal position. Essentially, the Americans agreed to ask for the consent of the Government of Canada without conceding that they were obliged to. In January 2006, David Wilkins, the American ambassador to Canada, said his government opposes Stephen Harper's proposed plan to deploy military icebreakers in the Arctic to detect interlopers and assert Canadian sovereignty over those waters.^[216]

Along with other nations in the Arctic Council, Canada, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Russia, the maritime boundaries in the far north will be decided after countries have completed their submissions, due in 2012. Russia has made an extensive claim based on the Russian position that everything that is an extension of the Lomonosov Ridge should be assigned to Russia.^[217][218] Their submission had been rejected when first submitted by the United Nations in 2001.^[219] The regions represent some of the most extreme environments on Earth yet there is a hope for hypothetically commercially viable oil and gas deposits.

In June 2019, the U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the US "view Canada’s claim that the waters of the Northwest Passage are internal waters of Canada as inconsistent with international law."^[220]

See also

• Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations
• Canada and the Iraq War
• Canada and the Vietnam War
• Canada–NATO relations
• Canada and the United Nations
• Defence Diplomacy
• Department of Intergovernmental Affairs (New Brunswick)
• Diplomatic Forum
• International organisation membership of Canada
• Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)
• Minister of International Development (Canada)
• Minister of International Trade Diversification
• List of diplomatic missions in Canada
• List of diplomatic missions of Canada
• List of state and official visits by Canada
• Ministry of International Relations (Quebec)
• Visa requirements for Canadian citizens

•  Canada portal
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References

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2. Sens, Allen; Stoett, Peter (2013). Global Politics (5th ed.). Nelson Education. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-17-648249-7.
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7. DeRouen, Karl R. (2005). Defense and Security: A Compendium of National Armed Forces and Security Policies. University of Alabama Press. p. 90. ISBN 978-1-85109-781-4.
8. Teigrob, Robert (September 2010). "'Which Kind of Imperialism?' Early Cold War Decolonization and Canada–US Relations". Canadian Review of American Studies. 37 (3): 403–430. doi:10.3138/cras.37.3.403.
9. Canada's International Policy Statement: a role of pride and influence in the world. Government of Canada. 2005. ISBN 978-0-662-68608-8.
10. Finkel, Alvin (1997). Our Lives: Canada after 1945. Lorimer. pp. 105–107, 111–116. ISBN 978-1-55028-551-2.
11. Haglung, David G (Autumn 2003). "North American Cooperation in an Era of Homeland Security". Orbis. 47 (4): 675–691. doi:10.1016/S0030-4387(03)00072-3.
12. "Canada". United States Department of State. 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2015.

February 16, 2024