Canada-Saint Kitts-Nevis relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis have enjoyed a longstanding and collaborative relationship since 1983, when Saint Kitts and Nevis gained independence. Our rich cooperation is built on our shared values, multilateral, commercial and security collaboration, and strong people-to-people ties, including through tourism.
We are like-minded partners in regional and multilateral fora on a wide variety of important issues, notably climate and economic resilience. Canada is represented in Saint Kitts and Nevis by the High Commission of Canada in Barbados. Saint Kitts and Nevis has a High Commission in Ottawa and a Consulate General in Toronto.
Trade relations
In 2022, Canada's merchandise exports to Saint Kitts and Nevis grew to $7.6 million and merchandise imports from Saint Kitts and Nevis totaled $1.9 million. Canada's main exports to Saint Kitts and Nevis included live animals and animal products, food products, and metals.
Due to the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff (CARIBCAN) - an economic and trade development assistance program for the Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories established by Canada in 1985 – and Canada's other Tariff preference measures, 94% of all Caribbean exports to Canada enter duty free.
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Development
While Saint Kitts and Nevis is ineligible for Official Development Assistance, it benefits from Canada's support through regional initiatives focused on mutual priorities, such as climate and economic resilience, sustainable and inclusive governance, and advancing of gender equality.
Following the devastating 2017 hurricane season in the Caribbean, Canada announced the 5-year $100 million Pledge for Caribbean Reconstruction and Economic and Climate Resilience to support Saint Kitts and Nevis and the region. The pledge was fulfilled in 2022 and included strengthening natural disaster planning and response through organizations such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.
At the 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 the needs of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Caribbean, including to address gender-based violence, income support and essential services, training and technical assistance for health professionals, as well as supplies and protective equipment. Canada's support to the Pan-American Health Organization in the Caribbean has also provided training to Saint Kitts and Nevis' emergency responders, and safety assessments of three health centers.
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 provides technical assistance to CARICOM governments, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, to help diversify and strengthen the economy, build climate resilient communities, and reduce gender and economic inequalities.
Saint Kitts and Nevis and Canada also collaborate closely in key regional and multilateral fora and institutions, such as the Caribbean Development Bank. Canada represents Saint Kitts and Nevis 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 Project Browser.
Security
Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis work together to enhance security in the Caribbean region. In partnership with regional and multilateral organizations, we collaborate through Canada's Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program and other initiatives to combat cybercrime, drug trafficking, money laundering and other crimes. Canadian Armed Forces and Saint Kitts and Nevis' emergency agencies participate in TRADEWINDS, a Caribbean-focused exercise designed to enhance defense force abilities in maritime security and disaster response training.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today's most pressing global challenges, Canada and Saint Kitts and Nevis work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
- The Commonwealth
- Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- United Nations (UN)
- World Bank (WB)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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