Canada-Dominica relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and the Commonwealth of Dominica have enjoyed longstanding diplomatic relations since 1978, when Dominica gained independence. Our relationship is based on multilateral and development cooperation as well as strong people-to-people ties, including tourism and educational exchanges. The natural beauty and remarkable biodiversity of Dominica draws thousands of Canadian tourists to the island every year.
The two countries also collaborate on a range of issues in multilateral fora, such as the Organization of American States, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations. Dominica and Canada collaborate closely in key regional institutions, such as the Caribbean Development Bank. Canada represents Dominica and other Caribbean nations on the Board of Governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Canada is represented in Dominica by the High Commission of Canada in Barbados, which opened in 1967. Dominica is represented by a non-resident High Commissioner, based in Washington, D.C.
Trade relations
Commercial relations between Canada and Dominica are modest but have potential for growth. In 2025, bilateral merchandise trade with Dominica totaled $6.7 million, with exports valued at $6.3 million and imports at $372.6 thousand. Please see Canada’s international trade and investment country fact sheet for Dominica for additional details.
Dominica is a beneficiary of CARIBCAN – a non-reciprocal economic and trade development assistance program established in 1986 that provides 18 Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories with preferential access to the Canadian market through the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff (CCCT), allowing the vast majority of imports from CARIBCAN beneficiaries to enter Canada duty-free.
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Development
Canada’s international assistance supports Dominica’s efforts to foster resilient economies, climate action and regional security and stability. Canada works with local, regional and international partners to help communities strengthen resilience to climate change and natural disasters, promote sustainable economic growth, improve food security, advance gender equality and social inclusion, and strengthen institutions that contribute to safety, stability and prosperity. These efforts help Dominica address development challenges while creating opportunities for a more resilient and sustainable future.
Canada’s supports strengthening natural disaster planning and response through organizations such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and reconstruction via the Caribbean Development Bank. In September 2025, Canada renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with CDEMA to improve tactical mobility coordination for enhanced disaster response. Canada also 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.
A principal 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 provides technical assistance to CARICOM governments, including Dominica, to help diversify and strengthen the economy, build climate resilient communities, and reduce gender and economic inequalities.
Information on Canadian development initiatives is available on Project Browser.
Dominica benefits from The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.
Security
Canada and Dominica enjoy strong cooperation in enhancing security in the Caribbean, collaborating through Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP): Canada’s current commitment to Dominica is $1.7M (2026) through regional programming to strengthen law enforcement, judicial, and operational responses to organized crime. In September 2025, Canada announced a $20 million investment to strengthen maritime security in the Caribbean. This funding supports regional and international partners, including CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), INTERPOL, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Regional Security System (RSS), to strengthen regional cooperation and information sharing, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve operational readiness and investigative capacity, and assist in legislative and judicial updates and reforms. Canada supports the Barbados-based RSS, which provides training to security forces in member states, including Dominica.
Partnerships and organizations
Dominica is an active member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
To develop effective responses to global challenges, Canada and Dominica work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
- Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
- The Commonwealth
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
- La Francophonie
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Bank (WB)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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