Canada and Latin America and the Caribbean

Canada values the deep,  long-standing relationships that it has with the countries and peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as with the region's multilateral organisations, such as:

• Organization of American States
• Inter-American Development Bank
• Caribbean Development Bank
• Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
• Pan American Health Organization
• Pacific Alliance

Every three years since 1994, the Summit of the Americas has provided heads of state and government from the hemisphere with an opportunity to meet and work collaboratively to advance a common agenda, affirm shared values and commit to concerted actions at the national and regional level to address challenges faced in the Americas. The most recent Summit of the Americas was held June 6 to 10, 2022, in Los Angeles, United States. The next Summit will be held in 2025 in the Dominican Republic.

Canada's priorities in the region

Canada shares connections with countries and peoples of Latin America and Caribbean that go far beyond geography, including:  people-to-people ties; shared values; investment; student exchanges; and tourism. Canada works with partners in the region to reinforce those relationships; address social, economic and security issues; and identify opportunities to further develop trade and investment ties for mutual economic, social and cultural benefit.

Canada engages with the countries and peoples of the region through policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and international development programming to, among other things:

• Support an inclusive and sustainable health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
• Encourage inclusive economic growth and sustainable development
• Support poverty eradication
• Promote and defend human rights
• Strengthen democracy
• Support climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Improve regional security, including addressing the root causes of irregular migration and supporting safe and orderly migration
• Increase opportunities for marginalized groups, in particular women and girls, and Indigenous peoples

An important partner in the hemisphere

Canada has eight Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the following countries in the hemisphere:

• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Honduras
• Panama
• Peru
• United States and Mexico

Canada also has eight Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements and 30 air transport agreements with countries in the Americas.

The total value of Canadian international assistance in Latin America and the Caribbean was $1.23 billion in 2020-2021.

Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership

Since the independence of CARICOM Member States and the creation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) fifty years ago, Canada and CARICOM have built an enduring partnership based on the strength of our people-to-people ties, commercial engagements, shared economic interests, and common values such as a commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and the rules-based international order. Marking the occasion of our first Summit to be held on Canadian soil, Leaders launched the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership, a joint mechanism for regular dialogue and expert consultations at all levels (officials, ministers, leaders), to continue collaboration and cooperation on mutually agreed sectors today, tomorrow, and well into the future.