Canada-Belize relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Belize enjoy a positive bilateral relationship spanning for more than 40 years.
This relationship is reinforced by shared ties such as being part of the Commonwealth and the Organization of American States, common historical traditions, similar systems of governments, and significant cultural and people-to-people links. Canada and Belize are also working together through active engagement at the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) to advance common goals of prosperity, resilience to climate change, gender equality and economic development.
Belize is home to over 13,000 Canadians and an increasingly popular destination for thousands of Canadian tourists.
Since 2015, Canada has supported Belize through its Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) with projects tackling illicit drugs, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, crime prevention (including cyber security issues), security sector reform and proceeds of crime (including money laundering).
Belize is represented in Canada by the High Commission of Belize to Canada located in Washington D.C., as well as by Honorary Consulates in Calgary, AB and London, ON. Canada is represented in Belize by the High Commission of Canada to Belize, located in Guatemala City.
Education
With the launch of the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) in 2009, Belizean students have been granted the opportunity to study and research in Canada. Other available scholarships for Belizean students interested in pursuing studies in Canada include the Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships and the Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program.
Trade relations
Canadian exports to Belize include mostly milling industry products (malt), small machinery and fertilizer products.
Imports from Belize encompassed mostly vegetable and agricultural products, such as sugar and nut products. Belize benefits from CARIBCAN, Canada’s preferential trade arrangement. Through CARIBCAN, most Commonwealth Caribbean exports to Canada enter duty free.
Most Canadian investment in Belize is in the energy and forestry sectors. Potential for the expansion of Canadian economic interests in Belize remains positive, but limited, due to the small size of the market.
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Development
Canada’s international assistance in Belize is focused on mutual priorities, including climate and economic resilience, sustainable and inclusive governance, and advancing of gender equality, mostly provided through regional and multi-country programs.
Following the 2017 hurricane season that devastated the Caribbean, Canada announced a 5-year $100M pledge to support Caribbean Reconstruction and Economic and Climate Resilience. The pledge was fulfilled in 2022 and included climate change adaptation and strengthened natural disaster planning and response through organizations such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.
At the February 2023 CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in The Bahamas, Canada announced $44.8 million in new initiatives to help support CARICOM in addressing the climate crisis by protecting more biodiversity, and improving climate resilience and disaster preparedness. Canada continues to advocate for small island and low-lying states in the Caribbean, who are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change like rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada redirected programming to respond to Belize and Caribbean needs, including to address gender-based violence, income support and essential services, training and technical assistance for health professionals, as well as medical supplies and protective equipment.
A principle means of support to the Caribbean is technical assistance and training to increase the capacity of governments and organizations. For instance, the Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism, which provides technical assistance to CARICOM governments, including Belize, to help diversify and strengthen the economy, build climate resilient communities, and reduce gender and economic inequalities.
Belize also benefits from Canada’s partnerships with non-governmental and regional organizations, such as the Caribbean Development Bank. Belize and Canada also collaborate closely in key regional and multilateral fora and institutions, such as the Caribbean Development Bank. Canada represents Belize and other Caribbean nations on the Board of Governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Information on Canadian development initiatives is available on the Global Affairs Canada Project Browser.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Belize work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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