Canada-Algeria relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Development
• Operations
• Partnerships and organizations
• Canada-Algeria fact sheet

Bilateral relations

Canada and Algeria enjoy excellent diplomatic relations, which go back to the initial years after Algeria’s independence. Algeria is an influential actor in North Africa and an important partner for Canada in the global fight against terrorism and bilateral trade.

Canada recognized Algeria upon independence in 1962, and diplomatic relations were established in 1964. Bilateral relations are greatly strengthened by people-to-people ties. According to the 2016 census, the Algerian diaspora to Canada was comprised of approximately 67,000 people, residing primarily in the Montreal area. Algeria is also the fourth-largest source of immigrants to Quebec, after France, Haiti, and Morocco. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, there were a total of 4,245 Algerian students studying in Canada in 2020.

Canada is represented in Algeria by the Embassy of Canada in Algiers. Algeria is represented in Canada by an Embassy in Ottawa and a Consulate General in Montreal.

Trade relations

Canada and Algeria have a dynamic commercial relationship, with bilateral merchandise trade totalling $658.2 million in 2020. Algeria represents the second largest market on the continent for Canadian exports, after Egypt. According to the Trade Commissioner Service, more than 100 Canadian companies are doing business in Algeria, and their varied activities range from basic foodstuffs to training services and aeronautics. Canadian companies benefit from their ability to do business in French, their willingness to share knowledge and technology, and their North American expertise. In the last 5 years, the assets of Canadian multinationals in Algeria have reached a peak of $2.6 billion.

Algeria presents significant business opportunities for Canada in the areas of infrastructure and consulting engineering services, education, information and communications technology, life sciences, energy and mining. Canada and Algeria also have strong cultural and academic ties including several inter-university research and teaching agreements. On July 1, 2017, Air Canada launched a direct flight between Montreal and Alger during the summer months, a service that previously was only offered by Air Algeria.

Development

Through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, Canada supports projects and organizations that promote democracy, respect for human rights and inclusive and accountable governance in Algeria.

Algeria has supported various international initiatives spearheaded by Canada. Algeria signed and ratified the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines, and has completed all steps called for under the convention. Algeria was also active in promoting the New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), particularly within the African Peer Review Mechanism. Although not a member of La Francophonie, Algeria is the second-largest French-speaking country in the world in terms of the number of speakers.

Related links

• The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives

Operations

Algeria is a major regional player in the fight against terrorism. Recognizing Algeria’s unique role, Canada is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Algeria to work towards the consolidation of peace and security in the region. Algeria and Canada participated in the launch of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) in 2011, and until 2019, the two were co-chairs for the capacity-building working group for the Sahel, and subsequent West Africa region. Canada now co-chairs the GCTF as a whole, while Algeria continues to co-chair the West Africa working group. Canada provides funding for initiatives related to counter-terrorism capacity building in which Algeria participates.

Since 2017, Canada has contributed $2.1 million (including $400,000 in 2021) to the UN Refugee Agency to support those living in Sahrawi camps located in southwestern Algeria.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Algeria work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• Open Government Partnership (OGP)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)