Canada-Jordan relations

Bilateral relations

2024 marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jordan and Canada. Jordan is a key partner for Canada in the Middle East, as demonstrated by our significant international assistance to Jordan and our cooperation in multiple key areas. Aside from promoting regional and international stability, mainly through the support and advocacy of sustainable solutions to the conflict in Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, our shared interests include:

Combatting terrorism and transnational crime;
Strengthening capacity to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) security threats;
Refugee protection;
Humanitarian assistance;
Free trade and commercial opportunities;
Inclusive education, accountable governance and sustainable economic growth; and
Women’s economic empowerment.

Canada and Jordan also share strong people to-people ties through a Jordanian-Canadian community largely centred in Toronto, Jordanian students studying in Canada, and Canadians living and working in Jordan. Canada is represented in Jordan by its embassy in Amman, which is one of our largest in the region. Jordan is represented in Canada by its embassy in Ottawa.

From 2016 to 2025, through the Middle East Engagement Strategy, Canada contributed over $757 million to support Jordan’s stability and resilience as it managed the effects of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

Trade relations

Jordan is the first Arab country with which Canada has a Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2012. Bilateral trade in 2025 exceeded $273 million. Canadian merchandise exports to Jordan were $104.5 million, and imports were $169 million.

Canada’s exports to Jordan are diversified and span a range of sectors, including:

Motor vehicles and parts;
Consumer goods;
Aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts;
Farm, fishing, and intermediate food products;
Electronic and electrical equipment and parts; and
Industrial machinery, equipment and parts.

From 2017 to 2025, Canada issued 6,020 Canadian study permits to Jordanian students.

Development

Canada is a long-standing development partner of Jordan. Canadian assistance supports Jordan's efforts to strengthen education and health services, expand economic opportunities for women and youth, support refugee-hosting communities, promote gender equality, and advance climate resilience and water security.

Since 2016, Canada has provided more than $720 million in development assistance to Jordan, helping address the social and economic impacts of regional crises while supporting Jordan's long-term development priorities, inclusive economic growth, and economic resilience.

Jordan hosts one of the world's largest refugee populations relative to its population. Canada supports refugees and vulnerable host communities through development and humanitarian assistance, helping maintain access to essential services, strengthen protection systems, and foster social cohesion and resilience.

Jordan also plays an important humanitarian role in responding to the crisis in Palestine. Canada contributes to humanitarian efforts that help address urgent needs, facilitate the delivery of assistance to conflict-affected populations, and reinforce Jordan's role as a key humanitarian partner in the region.

Peace and security

Canada is committed to supporting Jordan’s capacity to provide internal security and defend its borders from various threats, including those posed by terrorism and transnational criminal activity, as well as to prevent, detect, and respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, and prevent diversion to illicit uses. Canada and Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defence cooperation in the spring of 2012, which reinforces the close relationship enjoyed by the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Canadian Armed Forces. In addition, a MOU on increasing security and stabilization cooperation was signed in 2016.

Through the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program, Canada delivers training, equipment, infrastructure and technical assistance to improve the capacity of defence and security partners. In Jordan, CTCBP supports efforts to enhance the operational intelligence and surveillance capacities of women and men throughout Jordan’s law enforcement, and military forcesas a means of enhancing Jordan’s counterterrorism and counter-narcotics capabilities.

The Program’s activities support implementation of Jordan’s second National Action Plan for advancing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. It also aligns with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy to help strengthen global peace and security through increased women’s representation and participation in the security sector.

A Canadian Armed Forces Training Assistance Team is also based in Jordan to implement capacity-building efforts through Operation ARMANA. For more information, see Operation ARMANA.

Through its Weapons Threat Reduction Program, Canada has been supporting Jordan – a member country of the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (GP) – to strengthen capacities to prevent, detect and respond to a broad range of CBRN threats. Programming efforts to mitigate CBRN threats have included:

The provision of CBRN personal protective and detection equipment, training for first responders and the provision of two biological laboratories to enhance biosecurity and disease detection capabilities;
Strengthening Jordan's capacity to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological materials at key border crossings and airports; through the provision of radiation detection equipment,and the delivery of related operational and maintenance training to Jordan’s Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission.

Partnerships and organizations

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

Date modified:: 2026-08-19

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