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 Canada |  Italy |
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Canada andItaly enjoy friendly relations and are close allies and partners through their membership in theG7,G20,NATO and theOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Relations also centre on the history ofItalian migration to Canada; approximately 1.5 million Canadians claim to have Italian ancestry (approximately 4.6% of the population).[1]
The first Italian to arrive to Canada was explorerGiovanni Caboto, a navigator fromVenice, who explored and claimed the coasts ofNewfoundland forEngland in 1497.[2] In 1524,Giovanni da Verrazzano explored part of Atlantic Canada forFrance.[2] In the early 1800s, Italians began migrating to Canada with the majority arriving in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Many Italians participated and took part in building Canadian cities, working on the railroad, building ports, shipping and mining; all of which led to the modern creation of Canada.[2]
For most ofWorld War I (1914–1918), Canada (under theBritish Empire) and Italy were allies during the war. DuringWorld War II (1939–1945), Canada and Italy were on opposing sides. On 10 June 1940, Canadadeclared war on Italy after Italian Prime MinisterBenito Mussolini declared war on France and the United Kingdom.[3] Canada partook in theItalian Campaign and the1st Canadian Division and1st Canadian Armoured Brigade participated in theinvasion of Sicily,Moro River Campaign and in theBattle of Monte Cassino.[4] Between 1940 and 1943, approximately 600 Italian-Canadian men were arrested and sent tointernment camps as potentially dangerous enemy aliens.[5] After the war had ended, Canada and Italy established diplomatic relations in 1947.[6]
Canada and Italy have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and for the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (1977)[7] and an Agreement of Social Security (1977).[8] In 1981, both nations signed an Extradition Treaty[9] and in 1984, both nations signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement.[10] There are direct flights between both nations with the following airlines:Air Canada,Air Transat,ITA Airways andWestJet.
There have been numerous visits between Canadian and Italian Prime Ministers, most mainly taking place in summits held by theG7,G8,G20 andNATO.
Visits from Canada to Italy
Visits from Italy to Canada
In 2016, trade between Canada and Italy totaled C$9.88 billion.[11] Canada's main exports to Italy include: Pharmaceutical products, cereals and mineral fuels. Italy's main exports to Canada include: Nuclear Reactors and machinery, beverages and vehicles (parts and motors).[11] Italy is Canada's 8th largest global merchandise trading partner, and 3rd most important trading partner in theEuropean Union. At the end of 2016, Italy ranked as the 28th largest investor country of FDI stock in Canada. In terms of European countries, Italy ranked 15th.[11] In October 2016, Canada and the European Union (which includes Italy) signed theComprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, a free-trade agreement between Canada and the European Union.
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