Canada’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean

Canada values its strong and long‑standing relationships with Latin America and the Caribbean. These connections go well beyond geography – they include growing trade and investment, family and cultural ties, tourism, cooperation, and student exchanges. Canada works closely with regional partners to strengthen democracy, advance shared prosperity, address climate change, and combat transnational organized crime. Together, these efforts support safer communities and build more resilient, inclusive economies.

Today, more than one million Canadians trace their roots to the region. Their contributions continue to shape Canada’s identity and future.

Trade and investment

 Canada’s commercial relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean strengthens prosperity:

• Trade between Canada and the Americas has grown rapidly: between 2018 and 2024, trade increased by more than 36%, rising from $70 billion to $95 billion.
• In 2024, the region accounted for more than 19% of all Canadian direct investment abroad—about $475 billion.
• Canada has free-trade agreements in force with 7 countries in the Americas (with the hemisphere representing almost half of all of Canada’s FTAs worldwide).
• Half of all Canadian mining assets abroad are located in the region.
• Each year, hundreds of thousands of Canadian tourists travel to Latin American and Caribbean destinations, deepening economic and cultural ties with the region.

Canada has established Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Peru, and Mexico, facilitating greater access to goods, services, and investment. Canada is also a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans‑Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) along with Mexico, Peru, and Chile.

In January 2025, Canada concluded FTA negotiations with Ecuador; the agreement is in the final stages of entering into force. Canada is also pursuing negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement with Mercosur, consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Canada’s economic ties with the Americas are further strengthened through the implementation of six Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements and 30 Air Transport Agreements across the region.

Canada also advances economic cooperation through arrangements such as:

• The Canada‑Argentina Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sustainable Mining
• The Canada‑Chile MoU on Critical Minerals
• The Canada‑Mexico Partnership Mining Working Group

International assistance

Canada invests significantly in the region through international development and cooperation. In 2023–2024, Canada provided $1.3 billion in international assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean and was among the top five international donors to the region. These investments help eradicate poverty, promote democracy, improve healthcare, combat climate change, and increase economic opportunities—especially for marginalized groups. Haiti was among the top three recipients of Canadian assistance worldwide, reflecting Canada’s ongoing commitment to stability and human well‑being.

Canada also partners with countries across the region and the Organization of American States to improve safety and strengthen justice systems. A key initiative is the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP), which supports efforts to fight organized crime in 31 countries across the region.

Regional institutions

Canada plays an active role in regional institutions to tackle shared challenges. Some of these institutions include:

• The Organization of American States (OAS), where Canada collaborates to advance democracy, human rights, and security.
• The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a long‑standing partner on development, climate resilience, and economic ties.
• The Inter-American Development Bank and Caribbean Development Bank, which support major development projects across the region.
• ParlAmericas, an inter-parliamentary institution that brings together the national legislatures of the Americas.
• The Pacific Alliance, a regional integration initiative of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, with which Canada partners to advance trade, economic cooperation, and inclusive, sustainable growth.
• The Pan American Health Organization, a regional health agency mandated to strengthen health systems, respond to emergencies, and improve equitable access to healthcare across the hemisphere.

Canada also takes part in the Summit of the Americas, a leaders’ level meeting held since 1994 to advance regional cooperation. The most recent Summit of the Americas was held June 6 to 10, 2022, in Los Angeles, United States.