Foreign relations of Canada

Diplomatic missions of Canada[1]
  Countries that host a Canadian Embassy or High Commission
  Interests section and other representations
  Countries that do not host Canadian diplomatic missions
  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 global affairs with a tendency to pursue multilateral and international solutions.[2][3][4] Canada is known for its strong commitment to international peace and security, as well as being a mediator in conflicts,[5] and for providing aid to developing countries.[6][7] The "golden age of Canadian diplomacy" refers to a period in Canadian history, typically considered to be the mid-20th century, when Canada experienced a high level of success in its foreign relations and diplomatic efforts.[8]

Canada's peacekeeping role during the 20th century has played a major role in its positive global image.[9][10] Canada has long been reluctant to participate in military operations that are not sanctioned by the United Nations.[11] Since the 21st century, Canadian direct participation in UN peacekeeping efforts has greatly declined.[12] The large decrease was a result of Canada directing its participation to UN-sanctioned military operations through NATO, rather than directly through the UN.[13] Canada has faced controversy over its involvement in some foreign countries, notably the 1993 Somalia affair.[14] Canada's military currently has over 3000 personnel deployed overseas in multiple operations.[15]

Canada and the United States have a long, complex, and intertwined relationship;[16][17] they are close allies, co-operating regularly on military campaigns and humanitarian efforts.[18][19] Canada also maintains historic and traditional ties to the United Kingdom and to France,[20] along with both countries' former colonies through its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.[21] 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.[22] Canada has diplomatic and consular offices in over 270 locations in approximately 180 foreign countries.[1]

Canada is a member of various international organizations and forums.[23] Canada was a founding member of the United Nations in 1945 and formed the North American Aerospace Defense Command together with the United States in 1958.[24] The country has membership in the World Trade Organization, the Five Eyes, the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).[2] Canada acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976.[25] The country joined the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1990 ,[26] and seeks to expand its ties to Pacific Rim economies through membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).[27] As of 2023, Canada is a signatory to 15 free trade agreements with 51 different countries.[28]

  1. ^ a b "Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts Accredited to Canada". GAC. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b Chapnick, Adam (2011). The Middle Power Project: Canada and the Founding of the United Nations. UBC Press. pp. 2–5. ISBN 978-0-7748-4049-1.
  3. ^ Gabryś, M.; Soroka, T. (2017). Canada as a selective power: Canada's Role and International Position after 1989. Societas. Neriton, Wydawnictwo. p. 39. ISBN 978-83-7638-792-5.
  4. ^ McKercher, B.J.C. (2012). Routledge Handbook of Diplomacy and Statecraft. Routledge handbooks. Taylor & Francis. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-136-66437-3. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  5. ^ Courtney, J.; Courtney, J.C.; Smith, D. (2010). The Oxford Handbook of Canadian Politics. Oxford Handbooks in Politics & International Relations. OUP USA. p. 363. ISBN 978-0-19-533535-4.
  6. ^ "Development Co-operation Profiles – Canada". OECD iLibrary. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Report to parliament on the Government of Canada's international assistance 2021-2022". GAC. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  8. ^ Harris, C.; Matthews, G.J.; Kerr, D.; Holdsworth, D.W.; Gentilcore, R.L. (1987). Historical Atlas of Canada: Addressing the twentieth century, 1891-1961. University of Toronto Press. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-8020-3448-9. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  9. ^ Sorenson, David S.; Wood, Pia Christina (2005). The Politics of Peacekeeping in the Post-cold War Era. Psychology Press. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-7146-8488-8.
  10. ^ Sobel, Richard; Shiraev, Eric; Shapiro, Robert (2002). International Public Opinion and the Bosnia Crisis. Lexington Books. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-7391-0480-4.
  11. ^ Mingst, K.; Karns, M.P. (2019). The United Nations In The Post-cold War Era, Second Edition. Taylor & Francis. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-000-30674-3.
  12. ^ Johnson, Lauri; Joshee, Reva (2007). Multicultural education policies in Canada and the United States. UBC Press. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-7748-1325-9.
  13. ^ Linda McQuaig (2010). Holding the Bully's Coat: Canada and the U.S. Empire. Random House Digital. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-385-67297-9.
  14. ^ Farnsworth, Clyde H (27 November 1994). "Torture by Army Peacekeepers in Somalia Shocks Canada". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011.
  15. ^ "Current operations list". National Defence. 2022. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014.
  16. ^ "Canada and the United States". The Canadian Encyclopedia. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023.
  17. ^ Nord, D.C.; Weller, G.R. Canada and the United States: An Introduction to a Complex Relationship. p. 14.
  18. ^ Carment, D.; Sands, C. (2019). Canada–US Relations: Sovereignty or Shared Institutions?. Canada and International Affairs. Springer International Publishing. pp. 3–10. ISBN 978-3-030-05036-8.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Morrison, Katherine L. (2008). "The Only Canadians: Canada's French and the British Connection". International Journal of Canadian Studies (in French) (37). Consortium Erudit: 177. doi:10.7202/040800ar. ISSN 1180-3991.
  21. ^ James, Patrick (2006). Michaud, Nelson; O'Reilly, Marc J (eds.). Handbook of Canadian Foreign Policy. Lexington Books. pp. 213–214, 349–362. ISBN 978-0-7391-1493-3.
  22. ^ Goddard, Lance (2005). Canada and the Liberation of the Netherlands. Dundurn Press. pp. 225–232. ISBN 978-1-55002-547-7.
  23. ^ "International Organizations and Forums". Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. 2013. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  24. ^ Wilson, G.A.A. (2012). NORAD and the Soviet Nuclear Threat: Canada's Secret Electronic Air War. Dundurn Press. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-4597-0412-1.
  25. ^ Clément, Dominique (2016). Human Rights in Canada: A History. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-77112-164-4.
  26. ^ McKenna, Peter (2012). Canada Looks South: In Search of an Americas Policy. University of Toronto Press. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-4426-1108-5.
  27. ^ Canada Intelligence, Security Activities and Operations Handbook Volume 1 Intelligence Service Organizations, Regulations, Activities. International Business Publications. 2015. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7397-1615-1.
  28. ^ "Expand globally with Canada's free trade agreements". Trade Commissioner. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023.