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The foreign relations of Canada are Canadamarker's relations with other governments and peoples. Canada's most important relationship is with the neighbouring United Statesmarker and the United Kingdommarker. However, Canadian governments have traditionally maintained active relations with other nations, mostly through multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, La Francophonie, and NATOmarker.
The Lester B.
Pearson Building is the home of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada


Early diplomatic history

The British North America colonies which today constitute modern Canadamarker had little control over their foreign affairs until the achievement of responsible government in the late 1840s. Up to that time, wars, negotiations and treaties were carried out by the British government to settle disputes concerning the colonies over fishing and boundaries and to promote trade. Notable examples from the colonial period include the Nootka Convention, the War of 1812, the Rush-Bagot Treaty, the Treaty of 1818, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, and the Oregon Treaty. While before the granting of responsible government, diplomacy emphasized peaceful British-American relations as opposed to domestic (Canadian) interests . The Canadian-American Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 signaled an important change in relations between Britain and its North American colonies. In this treaty, the Canadas were allowed to impose tariff duties more favourable to a foreign country than to Britain, a precedent that was extended by new tariffs in 1859, 1879, and 1887 despite angry demands on the part of British industrialists that these tariffs be disallowed by London .

Soon after Confederation, the first prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald appointed Sir John Rose as his lobbyist in London. When Alexander Mackenzie became prime minister, he sent George Brown to represent Canada in Washington during British-American trade talks. After the Conservative Party came back to power in 1878, the government sent Alexander Galt to London, as well as to France and Spain. Although the British government was concerned about this nascent Canadian diplomacy, it finally consented to giving Galt the formal title of High Commissioner in 1880. A trade commissioner was appointed to Australia in 1894. As High Commissioner, Charles Tupper helped negotiate an agreement with France in 1893 but it was countersigned by the British ambassador as the Queen's official representative to France. Meanwhile, in 1882 the province of Quebec made its first of many forays into the international community by sending a representative, Hector Fabre to Paris in 1882.

Canada's responses to international events elsewhere were limited at this time. During 1878 tensions between Britain and Russia, for example, Canada constructed a few limited defences but did little else. By the time of the British campaign in Sudan of 1884-85, however, Canada was expected to contribute troops. Since Ottawa was reluctant to become involved, the Governor General privately raised 386 voyageurs at Britain's expense to help British forces on the Nile River. By 1885, many Canadians offered to volunteer as part of a potential Canadian force, however the government declined to act. This stood in sharp contrast to Australia (New South Walesmarker), which raised and paid for its own troops.

The first Canadian commercial representative abroad was John Short Larke. Larke became Canada's first trade commissioner following a successful trade delegation to Australia led by Canada's first Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mackenzie Bowell.

In 1909, Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier reluctantly established a Department of External Affairs and the positions of Secretary and Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs, largely at the urging of the Governor General Earl Grey and James Bryce, the British ambassador in Washington, who estimated that three-quarters of his embassy's time was devoted to Canadian-American matters. The Alaska boundary dispute was resolved by a commission in 1903, at which the British delegate sided with the Americans, stunning Canadians into a realization that the Empire's interests were paramount to Canada's . The Canadian judges refused to sign the award (issued 20 October 1903) as a protest and violent anti-British feeling erupted in Canada.

Due to Canada's important contributions to the British war effort in 1914-18, Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden insisted that Canada be treated as separate signatory to the Treaty of Versailles and it subsequently joined the League of Nations.

The government operated a Canadian War Mission in Washington D.C. between 1918-1921, but it was not until William Lyon Mackenzie King became Prime Minister in 1921 that Canada seriously pursued an independent foreign policy. In 1923, Canada independently signed the Halibut Treaty with the United States at Mackenzie King's insistence - the first time Canada signed a treaty without the British also signing it. In 1925, the government appointed a permanent diplomat to Geneva to deal with the League of Nations and International Labour Organization. Following the Balfour Declaration 1926, King appointed Vincent Massey as the first Canadian minister plenipotentiary in Washington (1926), raised the office in Paris to legation status under Philippe Roy (1928), and opened a legation in Tokyo with Herbert Marler as envoy (1929).

After the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939, Canada rapidly expanded its diplomatic missions abroad. The period from 1945-1957 is considered the golden age of Canadian diplomacy under Lester B. Pearson , when Canada had its greatest impact on world diplomacy .

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 carried out its foreign policy through coalitions and international organizations. It is argued by some critics that Canada no longer carries as much diplomatic weight because of the cut-backs to the military and foreign aid budgets by the government of Jean Chrétien .

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

Administration

Canada's international relations are the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), which is run by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position currently held by Lawrence Cannon. Traditionally the Prime Minister has played a prominent role in foreign affairs decisions. Foreign aid is delivered through the Canadian International Development Agency.

Federalism and foreign relations

One of the most unique aspects of Canadian foreign policy is the high level of freedom the provinces have to operate internationally. Despite the fact the federal government worked to strengthen its foreign affairs responsibilities as relinquished by Britain, the provinces have always had pretensions in this area, dating from Quebec's first representative to France in the 1880s . Most provincial governments have a ministry of international relations, both Quebec and New Brunswick are members of La Francophonie (separately from the federal delegation), Alberta has quasi-diplomatic offices in Washington (currently staffed by former cabinet minister Gary Mar). Provincial premiers were always part of the famous Team Canada trade missions of the 1990s. In 2007, Quebec premier Jean Charest proposed a free trade agreement with the EU.

Provinces have always participated in some foreign relations, and appointed agents-general in the United Kingdom and France for many years, but they cannot legislate treaties. The French-speaking provinces of Quebecmarker and New Brunswickmarker are members of la Francophonie, and Ontariomarker has announced it wishes to join . Quebecmarker, ruled primarily by separatist governments since 1976, has pursued its own foreign relations, especially with France. Albertamarker opened an office in Washington D.C.marker in March 2005 to lobby the American government, mostly to reopen the borders to import of Canadian beef. With the exception of Quebec, none of these efforts undermine the ability of the federal government to conduct foreign affairs .

See also:

Bilateral relations

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
See Afghanistan–Canada relations, War in Afghanistan, Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawamarker, Embassy of Canada in Kabul, List of Canadian ambassadors to Afghanistan

The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was adding Afghanistan to its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid. This list includes 18 countries and the West Bankmarker and Caribbeanmarker.
See Embassy of Algeria in Ottawamarker, List of Canadian ambassadors to Algeria
1978 See Embassy of Angola in Ottawamarker, List of Canadian ambassadors to Angola
1940
See Australia–Canada relations, High Commission of Australia in Ottawa, High Commission of Canada in Canberramarker, List of Australian High Commissioners to Canada, List of Canadian High Commissioners to Australia
1907 See Barbados–Canada relations

In 1907, the Government of Canada opened a Trade Commissioner Service to the Caribbean region located in Bridgetown, Barbadosmarker. Following Barbadian independence from the United Kingdommarker in November 1966, the Canadian High Commission was established in Bridgetown, Barbados in 1967. 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.
See Belgium–Canada relations
See Foreign relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
See Brazil–Canada relations, Embassy of Brazil in Ottawamarker, List of Brazilian ambassadors to Canada

Brazil-Canada relations have been cordial but relatively limited, although the relationship between the two countries has been gradually evolving over time.
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.
1953 See Canada–Colombia relations
1993-04-14
1959 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 Havanamarker
  • Cuba has an embassy in Ottawamarker
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 Canadamarker 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.
See Canada – Czech Republic relations

Canada has an embassy in Praguemarker. The Czech Republic has an embassy in Ottawamarker, 2 consulates-general (in Montrealmarker and Torontomarker) and 3 honourary consuls (in Calgarymarker, Vancouvermarker and Winnipegmarker).
See Canada–Egypt relations

Both countries established embassies in their respective capitals in 1954. Canada has an embassy in Cairomarker. Egypt has an embassy in Ottawa and a Consulate-General in Montreal.
1960 See Canada–Ethiopia relations

  • Since 1966, Canada has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
  • Ethiopia currently has an embassy in Ottawa.
  • The Ethiopian ambassador is also accredited to: Cuba, Jamaica and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
See Canada and the European Union, Delegation of the European Commission to Canada, Mission of Canada to the European Union, List of Canadian ambassadors to the European Union
1947-11-21
See Canada–France relations, Embassy of France in Ottawamarker, Embassy of Canada in Parismarker, List of French ambassadors to Canadamarker, List of Canadian ambassadors to France

In the 2007 and 2008, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Quebec Premier Jean Charest 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.
1992-07-23
See Canada–Germany relations, Embassy of Canada in Berlin, Embassy of Germany in Ottawamarker

  • Until 2005 Canada's embassy was in Bonnmarker, but in April 2005 a new embassy opened in Berlinmarker. Canada also operates consulates in Munichmarker, Dusseldorfmarker and Hamburgmarker.
  • The provinces of Ontariomarker and Albertamarker have representatives in Germany, co-located in the consulates. Quebecmarker runs a stand-alone bureau in Munich, with an “antenne culturelle” office in Berlin.
  • In addition to its embassy in Ottawamarker, Germany maintains consulates in Torontomarker, Montrealmarker and Vancouvermarker. Additional diplomats responsible for specialized files are also accredited from Washington.
1937 See also Embassy of Greece in Ottawamarker
1964 See Canada–Guyana relations
See Canada–Haiti relations

During the unsettled period from 1957 to 1990, Canada received many Haitian refugees, who now form a significant minority in Quebecmarker. Canada participated in various international interventions in Haiti between 1994 and 2004, and continues to provide substantial aid the Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
See Canada – Holy See relations

Although the Roman Catholic Church has been territorially 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.
1964 See also Canadians of Hungarian ancestry
1947
See Canada–India relations

In 2004, bilateral trade between India and Canada was at about C$2.45 billion. 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. Although Jean Chrétien and Roméo LeBlanc both visited India in the late 1990s, relations were again halted after the Pokhran-IImarker tests.
1953
1955 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 Tehranmarker 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'smarker west end, moved into 245 Metcalfe Street in the Centretown neighbourhood of Ottawa which was upgraded to embassy status.
see Canada and the Iraq War, Embassy of Iraq in Ottawamarker
See Canada–Ireland relations, Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, List of Canadian ambassadors to the Republic of Ireland

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.
See Canada–Israel relations, Embassy of Israel in Ottawa, List of Canadian ambassadors to Israel

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 May 11, 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.
1962 See Canada–Jamaica relations

  • Since March 4, 1963, Canada has a High Commission in Kingston.
  • Jamaica has a High Commission in Ottawa.
See Canada–Japan relations, Embassy of Japan in Ottawamarker, Embassy of Canada in Tokyo, List of Canadian ambassadors to Japan

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 Ottawamarker. In 1929, Canada opened its Tokyomarker legation, the first in Asia; and in that same year, Japan its Ottawa consulate to legation form.
1992 See Canada–Kazakhstan relations

  • Canada has an embassy in Almatymarker.
  • Kazakhstan has an embassy in Ottawamarker and a consulate in Torontomarker.
1965 See Canada–Kenya relations
See also International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

Canada recognized Kosovo on 18 March 2008.
1991-09-03 See Canada–Latvia relations

  • Canada re-recognized Latva’s independence on August 26, 1991.
  • Canada has an embassy in Rigamarker.
  • Latvia has an embassy in Ottawamarker and 2 honorary consuls in Quebecmarker and Torontomarker.
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.
1991
  • Canada has a High Commission in Kuala Lumpurmarker
  • Malaysia has a High Commission in Ottawamarker.
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • Canada-Malaysia not yet have any trading agreements nor they have any plans on negotiating on FTA.
See Canada – Mali relations
1964
See Canada–Mexico relations, Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa, List of Canadian ambassadors to Mexico

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 NAFTA. Although on different sides of the Cold War Spectrum (Canada was a member of NATOmarker while Mexico was in the Non-Aligned Movement, the two countries were still allies in World War Two.) Canada is represented by its embassy in Mexico Citymarker, a consulate-general in Monterrey, and a consulate in Guadalajara, while Mexico is represented by its embassy in Ottawamarker.
1973-11-30 See Canada–Mongolia relations

  • Canada is represented in Mongolia through it embassy in Beijing (Chinamarker) and an honorary consulate in Ulan Batormarker.
  • Mongolia has an embassy in Ottawamarker.


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 Unionmarker, Canada began to support Mongolia with donor activities through the International Development Research Centre, Canadian International Development Agency and several non-governmental organizations.
1956
See Canada–Netherlands relations
See Canada – New Zealand relations, List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to Canada, List of Canadian High Commissioners to New Zealand

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 Queen Elizabeth II. 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.
1960
2001-02 See Canada – North Korea relations

Canadamarker and North Koreamarker 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 Seoulmarker, and North Korea is represented through their position in the UN.
See Canada–Norway relations
  • Canada is represented through its' embassy in Islamabadmarker, and consulate inKarachimarker.
  • Pakistan is represented through its embassy in Ottawamarker.
  • Pakistan also has consulates in Torontomarker, Montrealmarker, and Vancouvermarker
  • The North American nation has served as a key player in attempting to curtail Pakistan's recent economic and political imbalances.
  • There are an estimated 300,000 Pakistanis living in Canada.


See also Pakistani Canadian, High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawamarker
1961
1900-01-01
See Canada – People's Republic of China relations, Embassy of China in Ottawamarker, List of Canadian ambassadors to the People's Republic of China

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 totaled C$38.3 billion. Between 1998 and 2007, imports from China grew by almost 400 percent /www.fraserinstitute.org/Commerce.Web/product_files/CanadaEconomicRelationsChina.pdf Canada’s Economic Relations with China> Leading commodities in the trade between Canada and China include chemicals, metals, industrial and agricultural machinery and equipment, wood products, and fish products. Relations between Canada with Hong Kongmarker and Macaumarker are through Beijing, but the two SAR have trade offices in Canada
1940
1950
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 Warsawmarker.
  • Poland has an embassy in Ottawamarker and 3 Consulates-General (in Montrealmarker, Torontomarker and Vancouvermarker).
  • There are over 800,000 Polish-Canadians living in Canada.
  • Both countries are full members of NATOmarker and OECD.
See Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, List of Canadian ambassadors to the Republic of China
1919-08-16
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.
See Canada–Saudi Arabia relations, Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawamarker

Saudi Arabia is Canada's largest trade partner among the seven countries of the Arabian Peninsula, totalling more than $2,000,000,000 in trade in 2005, nearly double its value in 2002. Canada chiefly imports petroleum and oil from Saudi Arabia, while exporting manufactured goods such as aircraft, cars, machinery and optical instruments.
1922
1965
1993-01-01
1993
1963-01-14 See Canada – South Korea relations
1920s
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. In additional, there are more than 300,000 Canadians of Swedish descent. Canada has an embassy in Stockholmmarker and two consulates in Göteborgmarker and Malmömarker. Sweden has an embassy in Ottawamarker and ten consulates in Calgarymarker, Edmontonmarker, Frederictonmarker, Halifaxmarker, Montrealmarker, Quebec Citymarker, Reginamarker, Torontomarker, Vancouvermarker and Winnipegmarker.
1945
1947
1957
See Canadian–Turkish relations

  • Canada has an embassy in Ankara.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Ottawa.
See Canada–Ukraine relations, Embassy of Ukraine in Ottawamarker

Diplomatic relations were established between Canada and Ukraine on January 27, 1992. Canada opened its embassy in Kievmarker in April 1992, and the Embassy of Ukraine in Ottawamarker opened in October of that same year, paid for mostly by donations from the Ukrainian-Canadian community. Ukraine opened a consulate general in Torontomarker in 1993 and announced plans to open another in Edmontonmarker in 2008. Canada also has a consulate in L'vivmarker.

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.
See Canada – United Kingdom relations, High Commission of the United Kingdom in Ottawamarker, High Commission of Canada in London, List of High Commissioners from the United Kingdom to Canada, List of Canadian High Commissioners to the United Kingdom

Londonmarker and Ottawamarker 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.
See Canada–United States relations, Embassy of the United States in Ottawamarker, Embassy of Canada in Washingtonmarker, United States Ambassador to Canada, List of Canadian ambassadors to the United States

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.marker, 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 Canadianmarker 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 neighbor, which is ten times larger in population, wealth and debt.

Canada and the United States are currently the world's largest trading partners, share the world's longest shared border, and have significant interoperability within the defense sphere.
1953-01 See Canada–Uruguay relations
See Canada–Venezuela relations

In February 1948 there was a Canadian Consulate General in Caracasmarker and a Venezuelan Consulate General in Montrealmarker. 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; but the Canadian government delayed the opening of a diplomatic mission in Venezuela because of the lack of enough suitable personnel for the manning of 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.

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. Finally Canada elevated the former office of the Canadian Consulate General in Caracas to the category of embassy in 1953.

On the other hand Venezuela established an embassy in Canada in 1952. Since then there have been good commercial relations between the two countries, especially in technology, oil and gas industry, telecommunications and others.
1973-08-21


Canada-France relations

Canada also has close, if sometimes turbulent, relations with Francemarker , partly for historical and linguistic reasons.

Canada-United States relations

The bilateral relationship between Canada and the United States is of extreme importance to both countries. About 75%-85% of Canadian trade is with the United States, and Canada is the United States' largest trading partner. While there are disputed issues between the two nations, relations are close and the two countries famously share the "world's longest undefended border."

Canada and the United States were close allies in both World Wars (though in both cases Canadian involvement preceded US involvement by several years), the Korean War, and the Cold War. Canada was an original member of NATOmarker and the two countries' air defences are fused in NORADmarker.

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 Chinamarker (October 13, 1970) long before the Americans did (January 1, 1979). It also has maintained trade and diplomatic relations with communist Cubamarker, despite pressures from the United States.

Selected dates of diplomatic representation abroad



Multilateralism

Canada is and has been a strong supporter of multilateralism . The country is one of the world's leading peacekeepers , sending soldiers under U.N. authority around the world. Canadian external affairs minister, Lester B. Pearson, is sometimes credited with inventing the modern concept of peacekeeping , for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Canada is committed to disarmament and is especially noted for its leadership in the Ottawa Convention to ban land mines .

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.

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 and Afghanistanmarker. It was also willing to participate with its NATO and OASmarker allies in the Kosovo Conflict and in Haitimarker respectively.

Despite Canada's track record as a liberal democracy that has embraced the values of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document chiefly drafted by Canadian human rights activist John Peters Humphrey , and its commitment to global security, Canada has not been involved in any major plan for Reform of the United Nations Security Council.

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

Canada-Asia relations

In 1985 the Parliament of Canada passed an Act to create the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, a think-tank focusing on Canada-Asia relations, in order to enhance Canada-Asia relations. Canada also seeks to expand its ties to Pacific Rim economies through membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC). In addition, Canada is an active participant in discussions stemming from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Canada joined the Organization of American Statesmarker (OAS) in 1990 and has been an active member, hosting the OAS General Assembly in Windsor, Ontariomarker, in June 2000.

Canada-Caribbean relations

Many Caribbean Community countries turn to Canada as a valued partner. Canadians, particularly Canadian banks, played 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.

Canada-Commonwealth of Nations

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

Canada-European Union relations

Canada-Latin American relations

In recent years Canadian leaders have taken increasing interest in Latin America . Canada has had diplomatic relations with Venezuelamarker since January 1953 and the relations are based on mutual commercial interests, especially in technology, oil and gas industry, telecommunications and others. Canada has an ongoing trade dispute with Brazilmarker .

International Organizations

Canada is a member of the following organizations:

Relations with international groups

Organization Main article Mission to Canada Mission of Canada Heads of mission to Canada Heads of mission from Canada
North Atlantic Council (NATOmarker) relations n/a Mission of Canada to the North Atlantic Council (Brussels) n/a List of Canadian ambassadors to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Organization of American Statesmarker see Canada-Latin America relations n/a Mission of Canada to the Organization of American States (Washington) n/a List of Canadian ambassadors to the Organization of American States
United Nations relations n/a Permanent Mission of Canada to: the UN in New York, the UN in Geneva, UNESCO in Paris, various organizations in Vienna, the UN in Nairobi, the FAO in Rome, the ICAO in Montreal n/a Canadian ambassadors to the United Nations


Organizations with headquarters in Canada



Major treaties signed in Canada



Territorial and boundary disputes

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 Justicemarker ruled on the maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mainemarker. Likewise, Canada and France had previously contested the maritime boundary surrounding the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelonmarker, but accepted a 1992 International Court of Arbitration ruling.

Remaining disputes include managed maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrancemarker, Beaufort Seamarker, Strait of Juan de Fucamarker, Machias Seal Islandmarker). Also, there is a dispute with Denmarkmarker over the sovereignty of Hans Islandmarker and surrounding waters in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Islandmarker and Greenlandmarker.

Arctic disputes

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) . 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 . In 1970, the Canadian government enacted the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, which asserts Canadian regulatory control over pollution within a 100 nautical mile 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. 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.

References

Bibliography

Primary Sources

  • Walter A. Riddell, ed; Documents on Canadian Foreign Policy, 1917-1939 Oxford University Press, 1962 806 pages of documents

Secondary Sources

  • Bothwell, R. Canada and the United States (1992)
  • Matthew Carnaghan, Allison Goody, "Canadian Arctic Sovereignty" (Library of Parliament: Political and Social Affairs Division, 26 January 2006) at [38991]
  • Eayrs James. In Defence of Canada. 5 vols. Toronto: University of Toronto, 1964- 1983. the standard history
  • Annette Baker Fox; Canada in World Affairs Michigan State University Press, 1996
  • Jamie Glazov. Canadian Policy Toward Khrushchev's Soviet Union 2003
  • Holmes John W. The Shaping of Peace: Canada and the Search for World Order. 2 vols. University of Toronto, 1979, 1982.
  • John M. Kirk and Peter McKenna; Canada-Cuba Relations: The Other Good Neighbor Policy University Press of Florida, 1997
  • Kohn, Edward P. This Kindred People: Canadian-American Relations and the Anglo-Saxon Idea, 1895-1903 (2005)
  • George Melnyk; Canada and the New American Empire: War and Anti-War University of Calgary Press, 2004, highly critical
  • Ronnie Miller; Following the Americans to the Persian Gulf: Canada, Australia, and the Development of the New World Order Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1994
  • Molot Maureen Appel, "Where Do We, Should We, Or Can We Sit? A Review of the Canadian Foreign Policy Literature", International Journal of Canadian Studies (Spring-Fall 1990).
  • Galen Roger Perras; Franklin Roosevelt and the Origins of the Canadian-American Security Alliance, 1933-1945: Necessary, but Not Necessary Enough Praeger Publishers, 1998
  • Reid, Escott. Time of Fear and Hope: The Making of the North Atlantic Treaty, 1947-1949 McClelland and Stewart, 1977.
  • James Rochlin; Discovering the Americas: The Evolution of Canadian Foreign Policy towards Latin America University of British Columbia Press, 1994
  • Stacey C. P. Canada and the Age of Conflict, 1921-1948. Vol. 2. University of Toronto, 1981. the standard history
  • Stairs Denis, and Gilbert R. Winham, eds. The Politics of Canada's Economic Relationship with the United States' University of Toronto, 1985.
  • Brian J R Stevenson. Canada, Latin America, and the New Internationalism: A Foreign Policy Analysis, 1968-1990 2000
  • Robert R. Wilson and David R. Deener; Canada-United States Treaty Relations Duke University Press, 1963


Further reading



Notes

See also



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