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Canada–Syria relations

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Canadian–Syrian relations
Map indicating locations of Canada and Syria

Canada
Syria
Diplomatic mission
  • Embassy, Ottawa (Closed)
  • Honorary Consulate, Montreal (Closed)
  • Honorary Consulate, Vancouver[a]

    • Canada–Syria relations were established on 20 May 1965, and they have been significantly affected by the ongoing Syrian Civil War since 2011.

    History

    [edit]

    Canada and Syria opened embassies in each other's countries following the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965.[2] Relations became strained due to Syria's human rights issues and involvement in regional conflicts, and Canada's diplomatic stance shifted further with the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.[3][4][5]

    Canada closed its embassy in Damascus on 5 March 2012 and suspended formal diplomatic relations,[6] while Syria’s embassy in Ottawa was closed on 29 May 2012.[7] For political reasons, the Syrian consulate in Montreal was closed in 2016.[8]

    As of November 2024, Syria still has an honorary consulate in Vancouver.[9]

    After the collapse of the Ba'athist rule in Syria in December 2024, Canada welcomed the end of the Assad regime, and Syrian exiles across Canada celebrated its fall.[10][11]

    Humanitarian aid

    [edit]

    Canada has been an active humanitarian donor during the Syrian crisis, contributing funds for Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons.[12] Canada is one of the largest resettlement countries for Syrian refugees, admitting tens of thousands since the beginning of the war.[13]

    Political positions

    [edit]
    Syrian solidarity demonstration in Montreal, March 2011.

    Canada has imposed sanctions on Syrian government officials and institutions in response to human rights abuses.[14] It has also supported international efforts to seek accountability for war crimes in the Syrian Civil War.[5]

    See also

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    Notes

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    1. ^ Also responsible for Syrian interests in the United States.[1]

    References

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    1. ^ "الدول التي لا يوجد فيها تمثيل دبلوماسي" [Countries where there is no diplomatic representation]. Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    2. ^ "A Guide to Canadian Diplomatic Relations, 1925-2019". Canadian Global Affairs Institute. January 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    3. ^ "Minister of Foreign Affairs takes action on Syria's human rights violations". Global Affairs Canada. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    4. ^ "Country Report: Syria". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    5. ^ a b "Netherlands, Canada take Syria to International Court of Justice over torture claims". France 24. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    6. ^ "The Precarious Survival of the Assad Regime". OpenCanada. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    7. ^ "Meet the man looking after the abandoned Syrian embassy for more than a decade". CBC News. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    8. ^ "Canada closes Syrian consulate in Montreal". Middle East Eye. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    9. ^ "القنصلية السورية في مونتريال" [Syrian Consulate in Montreal] (in Arabic). Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    10. ^ "Canada's response to the situation in Syria". Global Affairs Canada. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
    11. ^ "Syrians in Saskatchewan respond to Assad's fall with cautious optimism". CBC News. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
    12. ^ "Canada reiterates its commitment to people of Syria amid ongoing crisis". Global Affairs Canada. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    13. ^ "Key figures: Welcome Syrian refugees". Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    14. ^ "Canadian Sanctions Related to Syria". Global Affairs Canada. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
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