Canada-Saint Vincent & the Grenadines relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have enjoyed a strong and collaborative relationship since 1979, when Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gained independence. Our rich cooperation is built on multilateral, development and security collaboration, as well as strong people-to-people ties, including tourism.
On the multilateral stage, Canada collaborates with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to advance shared priorities such as addressing climate change, promoting economic security and strengthening multilateralism.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Canada also collaborate closely in key regional and multilateral forums and institutions, such as the Caribbean Development Bank. Canada represents Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and other Caribbean nations on the Board of Governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Canada is represented in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by the High Commission of Canada in Barbados. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is represented in Canada by a non-resident High Commissioner, based in Washington, D.C., and a Consulate general in Toronto.
Trade relations
In 2023, Canada’s merchandise exports to Saint Vincent and Grenadines totaled $16.7 million, and merchandise imports from Saint Vincent and Grenadines totaled $20,000. Canada’s main exports to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines include: consumer goods; industrial machinery, equipment and parts; motor vehicles and parts; metal and non-metallic mineral products.
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, the vast majority of all Caribbean exports to Canada enter duty free. This encompasses 98% of Saint Vincent and the Grenadine’s exports to Canada.
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Development
Canada’s international assistance supports Saint Vincent and the Grenadine’s efforts to foster climate resilience, economic growth, and inclusive governance. Gender equality is at the forefront, in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
At the 2023 Canada-CARICOM Leaders' Summit - the first to be hosted on Canadian soil – Canada made several announcements that benefit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including a $58.5 million initiative in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank for renewable energy and grid modernization, a $10 million Climate Smart Agriculture and Food Systems initiative with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and a $6 million contribution to the Caribbean Climate Smart Fund for clean energy. In February 2024, at the 46th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, Canada reiterated its commitment to the region by announcing $39.2 million in further funding for four new international assistance projects aimed at advancing climate action, biodiversity conservation, food security, economic resilience, sustainable and inclusive governance, health, and gender equality.
Following the devastating 2017 hurricane season in the Caribbean, Canada announced a 5-year to support Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the region in reconstruction climate resilience. The pledge was fulfilled in 2022 and included support for the , which provided natural disaster planning and was key to responding to the La Soufriere eruptions in 2021. This was in addition to the significant support that Canada provided to volcano readiness in over a dozen communities, support to improve emergency communications and shelter management, and humanitarian assistance through our partners. In May 2024, Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CDEMA to improve tactical mobility coordination for enhanced disaster response.
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 donated 20,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through a bilateral agreement, and redirected programming to respond to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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.
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 Vincent and the Grenadines, to help diversify and strengthen the economy, build climate resilient communities, and reduce gender and economic inequalities.
Information on Canadian development initiatives is available on .
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines benefits from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, and Canada’s support through non-governmental organizations.
Security
Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines work together to reinforce regional security in the Caribbean. Through the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program, Canada collaborates with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to enhance its capacity to combat crime and to increase training for women to effectively tackle illicit small arms trafficking. Canada also supports the Barbados-based Regional Security System, which provides assistance to Member States on request, including Saint Vincent and Grenadines.
Partnerships and organizations
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an active member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
To develop effective responses to today's most pressing global challenges, Canada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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)
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- United Nations (UN)
- World Bank (WB)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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