Canada-Poland relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada collaborates closely with Poland, bilaterally and through its strategic partnership with the European Union (EU), of which Poland is a Member State. Canada and Poland established formal diplomatic relations in 1942, laying the foundation for a strong and enduring partnership based on shared fundamental values, mutual respect and robust cooperation in addressing a wide range of global challenges. This partnership is further reinforced by dynamic commercial ties between our industries.
As NATO allies, Canada and Poland play an active role in strengthening transatlantic security and providing support to Ukraine.
The Canada-Poland relationship is deeply enriched by the nearly one million Canadians of Polish heritage, whose cultural and personal connections continue to strengthen the bonds between our nations.
In recent years, Canada and Poland have adopted new instruments and amended existing instruments to promote enhanced bilateral contacts, travel and business and to facilitate official relations. These bilateral instruments cover a variety of issues, from double taxation, airworthiness, judicial cooperation and most recently, nuclear cooperation and the secure exchange of classified information. Bilateral treaties between Canada and Poland are available on the Government of Canada’s treaty web portal.
Trade relations
Poland, the sixth largest economy in the EU in 2024, is a rising economic partner for Canada.
Since the 2017 provisional application of the Canada-European Union Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), two-way merchandise trade between Poland and Canada has doubled. In 2024, bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached $4.6 billion, including $3.5 billion in imports and $1.1 billion in exports.
In 2023, bilateral trade in services between Canada and Poland totaled $438 million with $231 million in Canadian services exports to Poland and $207 million in services imports from Poland.
In 2024, Poland’s direct investment stock in Canada was valued at $4.6 billion (ultimate investor country, 2024). Conversely, Canadian direct investment abroad (CDIA) in Poland was approximately $1.6 billion in 2024.
Canadian and Polish researchers also collaborate as part of research projects funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe, the largest collaborative R&D program in the world. The formal agreement for Canada's association to Horizon Europe was signed in July 2024.
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Defence relations
Canada and Poland enjoy strong and long-standing military ties. Not only did our nations fight side by side during the Second World War, but Canadian forces also trained Polish soldiers on Canadian soil and stood with them in key battles, contributing to the liberation of Poland and the restoration of its independence.
This legacy of solidarity continues today. Canada and Poland regularly engage in joint military exercises and training exchanges, strengthening interoperability and reinforcing our commitment to collective security. Since 1997, more than 400 senior Polish officers have received advanced training in Canada, a testament to the trust and cooperation between our armed forces.
Canada is also proud to have been the first NATO member to ratify Poland’s accession to the Alliance in 1998—an important milestone in Poland’s integration into the transatlantic community.
In October 2022, our defence relationship was further solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, paving the way for even closer collaboration in the years ahead.
Canada and Poland share a long history of working side-by-side in several NATO and UN Missions. Both countries are close partners in supporting NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, particularly on the eastern flank. Polish troops are deployed in the Canada-led Multinational Brigade in Latvia as a part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence. Poland is currently contributing a tank company, specialized troops and headquarters staff.
Canada also recognizes Poland’s substantial support to Ukraine, which has been key to facilitate Canada’s own contribution. Canada and Poland have been co-operating on military training missions to bolster the military skills of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Through Operation UNIFIER, Canada has now trained over 44,000 members of the Security Forces of Ukraine (SFU) since 2015, with over 10,000 of whom have been trained in various locations across Europe, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Operation UNIFIER is the Canadian Armed Forces military training, professionalization, and capacity building mission in support of Ukraine. Launched at the request of the Ukrainian government following the illegal annexation of Crimea, it has been extended to 2026. The SFU have received basic recruit training, engineering and leadership skills, Leopard tank crew training, artillery systems maintenance and tactical medical skills. Over 350 CAF personnel are currently deployed on Operation UNIFIER, with approximately 150 in Poland.
Partnerships and organizations
Canada and Poland are like-minded partners and allies with a shared commitment to bolstering democracy, human rights, the rule of law, international peace and security, multilateralism, global trade, climate action and the rules-based international order.
To develop effective responses to today's most pressing global challenges, Canada and Poland work closely in multilateral forums, such as:
- Community of Democracies (CoD)
- European Union (EU)
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- The Pacific Alliance
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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