Canada and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is an international grouping in the Caribbean consisting of fifteen member states and five associate members. CARICOM came into existence on July 4th, 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Our partnership

Canada and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have established a strong partnership over the past fifty years, grounded in shared economic interests, common values, and strong people-to-people ties. This relationship is characterized by collaboration on a wide range of issues, including climate, economic prosperity, sustainable and inclusive development, and regional security, and is maintained through bilateral and multilateral engagement in various international forums and institutions. Canada is committed to supporting CARICOM in areas such as regional integration, economic, human and social development, and the strengthening of democratic and judicial institutions.

Canada and CARICOM collaborate closely within international organizations such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth, La Francophonie, and the Organization of American States. At the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Canada’s Executive Directors represent a group of Caribbean constituents, advocating on their behalf. Canada also works closely with CARICOM Member States in regional banks, including the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank.

The Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership, announced on October 18, 2023, at the first ever Canada-CARICOM Leaders' Summit to be hosted on Canadian soil, guides the ongoing engagement between Canada and CARICOM. This partnership serves as a blueprint for engagement and a mechanism for regular dialogue and expert consultations at all levels (officials, ministers, leaders). It facilitates continued collaboration and cooperation on issues of mutual interest, with the goal of making our countries and the hemisphere safer, more resilient, and more prosperous.

Canada has made significant commitments to CARICOM in the areas of climate, security, development, and trade and investment. At the 2023 Canada-CARICOM Leaders' Summit, Canada announced a series of initiatives including a $58.5 million initiative in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank for renewable energy and grid modernization, a $10 million Climate Smart Agriculture and Food Systems initiative with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and a $6 million contribution to the Caribbean Climate Smart Fund for clean energy. In the area of security, Canada committed $3.2 million for the CARICOM firearms roadmap to combat the spread of illegal firearms in the Caribbean, and $4.6 million for a justice initiative to address gender-based violence and protect the rights of women, youth, and children. In May 2024, Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to improve tactical mobility coordination for enhanced disaster response. Lastly, on trade and investment, Canada announced at the 2023 Canada-CARICOM Leaders' Summit the expansion of the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff (CARIBCAN) program to include textiles and apparel, and the expansion of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program to include agriculture and fish processing. Canada is constantly looking for ways to collaborate with CARICOM partners on capacity building. At the 46th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, in February 2024, Canada reiterated its commitment to the region by announcing $39.2 million in further funding for four new international assistance projects aimed at advancing climate action, biodiversity conservation, food security, economic resilience, sustainable and inclusive governance, health, and gender equality.

Addressing the security, political, and humanitarian crises in Haiti is another crucial pillar of Canada’s engagement with CARICOM. Canada has been a long-standing partner to CARICOM in supporting Haitian efforts to address the country’s insecurity. Canada and CARICOM have both affirmed the importance of Haitian-led solutions to the crisis, and have committed to joint efforts to realize stability. Canada and CARICOM have been steadfast in their support to Haitian political actors in establishing a Transitional Political Council and a transitional government, a required step towards organizing free and fair elections in Haiti. Moreover, at the 2023 Canada-CARICOM  Leaders' Summit, Canada pledged $3.4 million to address firearm violence in Haiti, and $18.3 million to strengthen health and immunization systems in the country. Additionally, a three-year training initiative led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was announced to strengthen the Haitian National Police. As part of Canada's efforts to strengthen the security sector in Haiti, Canada announced in March 2023 $100 million in funding to directly support the Haitian National Police as well as $80.5 million in February 2024 in funding to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. In April 2024, Canada launched a mission in Jamaica known as “Operation HELIOS”, which brought members of the Canadian Armed Forces to Jamaica to train and prepare personnel from several CARICOM countries for their participation in the MSS mission.

Canada’s relationship with CARICOM is deep and multifaceted, rooted in the principles of rule of law, mutual respect, democracy, and human rights. This bond of trust reflects a shared commitment to progress, prosperity, and the security of our hemisphere. Canada is proud to affirm its commitment as a steadfast partner of CARICOM and the wider Caribbean region and will continue to work together to address shared challenges and seize new opportunities. This enduring partnership serves to reflect our shared values and aspirations, and Canada is dedicated to further strengthening these ties in the years to come.

Canada’s international assistance

Canada is a committed partner to CARICOM countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Our long-term goal in the Caribbean region is to help build a more inclusive, prosperous and resilient Caribbean community that can provide opportunity to its citizens. Canada’s programming in the Caribbean region is focused on mutual priorities, such as climate and economic resilience, renewable energy, sustainable and inclusive governance and health.  in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, advancing gender equality is a focus of all initiatives.

Since 2022, Canada has committed more than $300 million in development, humanitarian and security assistance to Haiti in health, education, governance, security, justice, food security, economic growth, and climate change. This also includes $13 million in humanitarian assistance in 2023 mainly focusing on food and nutrition water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, and protection, particularly in response to gender-based violence. This funding aims to respond to the most pressing needs of crisis-affected Haitians to support longer-term development that addresses the root causes of Haiti’s fragility.
Canada recognizes the challenges faced by the small island and coastal states of the Caribbean which are particularly vulnerable to both natural hazards and global economic changes. Following the 2017 hurricane season, Canada committed $100 million for reconstruction and to strengthen climate and economic resilience in the Caribbean, including by engaging the private sector. Canada fulfilled this pledge in 2022 which included strengthening natural disaster planning and response through organisations such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Since then, Canada has continued to build on this programming and support Caribbean resilience and growth.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada implemented programming to respond to Caribbean needs, including to address gender-based violence, support incomes and essential services, train and offer technical assistance to health professionals, and provide supplies and protective equipment. Canada also supplied vaccines both bilaterally and through the COVAX Facility. To foster recovery and long-term resilient and inclusive economies, Canada actively supports inclusive growth initiatives such as climate resilient agriculture, technical and vocational education and training and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region, particularly among women-led firms.

Information on Canada`s international assistance in CARICOM countries can be explored on the Global Affairs Canada Project Browser.

Quick facts

• Since 2010, Canada has delivered $2.8 billion in bilateral assistance to the region, not including multilateral assistance to organizations such as the Caribbean Development Bank.
• A principle means of working in the Caribbean is through technical assistance and training to increase the capacity of governments and organizations.
• CARICOM countries are supported through a Global Affairs Canada Haiti Development Program and a Regional Caribbean Development Program that engages with the English-speaking Caribbean.

Our office

High Commission of Canada accredited to CARICOM in Georgetown, Guyana

Canada’s High Commission in Georgetown, Guyana serves as Canada’s primary point of contact with the CARICOM secretariat.

Declarations and statements

List of declarations, statements and announcements pertaining to our diplomatic relationship with CARICOM.

News

List of official Government of Canada press releases, ministerial statements and media advisories pertaining to CARICOM and associated activities.

Related links

• Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean
• Canada and the Caribbean Development Bank