Canada-Argentina Relations

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A long-lasting, strong friendship

The relationship between Canada and Argentina is based on a shared commitment to multilateralism and common values, highlighted by human rights, democracy and non- proliferation.

Canada and Argentina cooperate closely on many regional and global issues. We share a similar approach to reforming the United Nations in order to make it more effective and a better representation of today’s world, and cooperate on current global issues related to the environment, pandemics, counter-terrorism and cultural diversity. Peacekeeping troops from both countries regularly participate in training courses held at the other country’s training centre. At the hemispheric level, our countries are jointly engaged in reconstruction and peacekeeping operations in Haiti, and were active participants in the Group of Friends negotiations that lead to the renewal of the MINUSTAH's mandate by the UN Security Council.

Canadians and Argentines have maintained diplomatic relations since 1940. Canada’s first Ambassador to Buenos Aires, Warwick Chipman, began his assignment in 1945 at a time when the two countries were engaged in the Allied war effort to end the Second World War.

Trade and Investment

Argentina’s GDP has grown by around 9% per year for the last three years. Many Canadian companies have been associated with this growth. They have been able to do so partly as a result of the increased recognition that Canadian firms offer distinct capabilities in sectors such as energy, mining, communications, environment and agricultural technology. They have enjoyed success in Argentina where the geography, natural resources, population density and climate conditions are similar to those in Canada.

Helped by the economic recovery, Canadian merchandise exports have more than quadrupled in the last three years to reach over $175 million. Further, bilateral trade in goods hit the $625 million mark in 2005, with Argentine exports accounting for the majority of the trade at $452.5 million.

Canadian direct investment in Argentina has grown to over $4.6 billion, covering a wide array of sectors. Canadian companies have invested in the agro-industrial sector where they produce a variety of products such as fertilizers, processed foods, dairy products, livestock, and fish products. Canada is also active in sectors such as mining, energy, printing, telecommunications and building products.

To get more information, please visit the webpage of the Embassy’s Commercial Section.

Cultural and Academic Relations

An excellent Canadian Studies network is in place in Argentina stemming from the first Canadian documentation center founded at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in 1985. The Argentine Association of Canadian Studies, made up of 7 regional centers in Buenos Aires, Comahue, Córdoba, Cuyo, La Plata, Rosario and Tucumán has over 500 members. It was created in 1996, and is now a full member of the International Council of Canadian Studies.

A Canadian Education Center (CEC Network), where Argentines can get information and support about studying in Canada, has been fully functional in Buenos Aires since 1998. Academic projects are also the basis for several international cooperation agreements, together with institutions like Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development and Research Centre (IDRC), and the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA).

The Canadian Embassy partners with major cultural events throughout Argentina, assisting Canadian artists to expand their careers and to open new markets for Canadian cultural industries. It supports a Young Talents programme to enhance the possibilities of developing artists and a Travelling Exhibits programme in Argentina which reaches all Argentine provinces. Major companies and artists like O Vertigo, Le Carrousel, le Théâtre UBU, Diana Krall, Atom Egoyan, Nathalie Choquette, Caroline Leaf and others are regularly featured in Buenos Aires, which is being visited for the second time by Le Cirque du Soleil in June-July 2008. There is also co-production agreement on films between Canada and Argentina. Concepts like cultural diversity, the social dimension of art, corporate social responsibility and the advent of new technologies are issues of common interest to both countries.

For a current listing of cultural events supported by the Canadian Embassy.

Indigenous Relations

Over the past decade, relations between the indigenous communities and associations in Canada and Argentina have grown remarkably. Initiatives spanning the political, commercial, international cooperation, academic, cultural and Information Technology (IT) areas have occurred with increasing frequency. Indigenous leaders of Argentina have received many official delegations from Canada to exchange views and experiences. In October/November 2005, the II Indigenous Summit of the Americas was held in Buenos Aires and Mendoza, with the assistance of the government of Canada and organizational support from the Assembly of First Nations in Canada.

The arts have also strengthened the relationship between Argentine and Canadian indigenous peoples, mainly since the Masters of the Arctic exhibit came to Argentina. In Buenos Aires there is a Canada Square with a totem pole built and donated by the Kwakiutl nation. At the University of Rosario there is an Inukshuk created in the Canada Square by artist David Piktoukoun. The Canadian Studies Association of Argentina sustains an Indigenous Chair run by indigenous members and has supported projects in a wide variety of fields (indigenous health, education, arts, social policies and organization, new technologies) and supports congresses and seminars where issues of cultural diversity, human rights and environmental awareness take center stage.

Learn more about the Aboriginal dimension of Canada’s relations with Argentina.

Cooperation & Development

The mandate of Canada’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program is to support sustainable development in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.

Since 1997, Canada’s development cooperation in Argentina has focused on transferring Canadian expertise and methodologies in areas such as:

• program delivery in health and education; and
  
• public sector reform.

The Government of Canada supports sustainable development in Argentina through the following institutions and programs:

• Canadian International Development Agency - CIDA
  
• International Development Research Centre - IDRC
  
• Institute for Connectivity in the Americas - ICA
  
• Canada Fund for Local Initiatives - CFLI

For information on these programs, please visit the Development Cooperation pages of the web site.

 

May 2008

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