Canada-Honduras Relations
- Fact Sheet: HTML Version | PDF Version * (100 KB)
Canada is represented in Honduras by a non-resident Ambassador based in Costa Rica, and maintains an Embassy of Canada (Program Office) in Tegucigalpa. Honduras is represented in Canada by an Embassy in Ottawa and also has a consulate in Montréal.
Canada and Honduras established diplomatic relations in 1961 and have enjoyed a positive relationship. Canada is perceived as playing a constructive role, given our history as a neutral actor in past Central American conflicts and our demonstrated commitment to democratic development, our important development assistance program in Honduras, and extensive trade and investment linkages. Over 50,000 Canadians travel to Honduras annually as tourists, and a considerable number of Canadians work in Honduras on behalf of Canadian and Honduran non-governmental organizations (NGO).
Canada played a leading role in efforts to reach a peaceful negotiated solution to the political crisis sparked by the coup d’état in Honduras in June 2009. Former Minister of State (Americas) Peter Kent participated actively in these efforts, representing Canada at the Organization of American States (OAS) and participating in high-level missions to Tegucigalpa in support of dialogue. Following the inauguration of President Porfirio Lobo in January 2010, Canada normalized relations with Honduras and funded the participation of former Canadian diplomat Michael Kergin in the Honduras Commission on Truth and Reconciliation, which released its report on July 7, 2011. Canada welcomed the lifting of Honduras suspension from the OAS this past June and will continue to support President Lobo’s efforts toward national reconciliation.
Honduras is one of Canada’s countries of focus for international assistance and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)’s largest bilateral program in Central America. The Temporary Foreign Workers Program has been very successful and is generally viewed as a model that responds to labour and migration demands with clear regulations. Five hundred Honduran workers have participated in the program.
Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Honduras reached $192 million in 2010, an increase of 9.3% over 2009 but still 19.5% below the 2008 level due in part to the impact of the international financial crisis. Merchandise exports to Honduras were $40.8 million in 2010 while merchandise imports from Honduras amounted to $151.2 million. Canadian direct foreign investment is also prominent in Honduras in garment manufacturing and mining. According to Natural Resources Canada statistics, total assets employed by Canadian firms in mining amounted to $146 million by 2009.
July 2011
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