Canada-Saint Lucia relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Development
• Security
• Partnerships and organizations
• Canada-Saint Lucia fact sheet

Bilateral relations

Canada and Saint Lucia have enjoyed longstanding diplomatic relations since 1979, when Saint Lucia gained independence. Our relationship is based on multilateral cooperation, shared values of democracy, rule of law, and strong people-to-people ties, including through tourism.

Canada and Saint Lucia actively collaborate bilaterally and in multilateral forums on issues of mutual importance, from climate change to regional security. Canada values Saint Lucia’s collaboration in the Organization of American States (OAS) to explore solutions to regional issues. Canada is home to approximately 7,285 Saint Lucians.

Canada is represented in Saint Lucia by the High Commission of Canada in Barbados, which opened in 1967. Saint Lucia is represented in Canada by a consulate in Toronto.

Trade relations

In 2021, Canada’s merchandise exports to Saint Lucia totaled $18.6 million and merchandise imports from Saint Lucia totaled $932,200. Canada’s main exports to Saint Lucia included animal products, food products and machinery.

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, 96% of all Caribbean exports to Canada enter duty free.

Related links

• Trade and investment agreements
• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in Saint Lucia

Development

Canada’s development program is 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 St. Lucia and the region in reconstruction and climate resilience. 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 CARICOM Intersessional Meeting in February 2020, Canada announced an additional $61.5 million in new commitments for resilience, technical assistance and education exchanges for the Caribbean. This includes, for example, the Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism, which provides technical assistance to CARICOM governments, including St. Lucia, to help diversify and strengthen the economy, build climate resilient communities, and reduce gender and economic inequalities. Another collaborative initiative is bringing Canadian and St. Lucian institutions of higher education together for technical and vocational training in the climate change sector. Canada has also provided disaster risk insurance coverage for St. Lucia over the 2019-2022 period.

Canada’s cooperation further extends to regional engagements to strengthen national statistics for policy making, public financial management, access to justice, private sector development, and building the capacity of local women’s rights organizations.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Canada redirected programming to respond to St. Lucian and Caribbean needs, 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.

St. Lucia also benefits from Canada’s partnerships with non-governmental organizations and key regional institutions, such as the Caribbean Development Bank. Canada represents St. Lucia and other Caribbean nations on the Board of Governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives

St. Lucia also benefits from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

Security

Canada and Saint Lucia enjoy strong cooperation in enhancing security in the region. We collaborate through Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program to tackle illicit drugs and crime, and Canada’s support to the Barbados-based Regional Security System, which provides training to security forces. In collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Canada and Saint Lucia work together to tackle money laundering.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to global challenges, Canada and Saint Lucia work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
• Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
• The Commonwealth
• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• La Francophonie
• Organization of American States (OAS)
• Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
• United Nations (UN)
• World Bank (WB)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)