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 Canada |  Ireland |
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Canada andIreland enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centres on the history ofIrish migration to Canada and the two countries' shared history as parts of theBritish Empire. Approximately 4.5 million Canadians – 14% of Canada's population – claimed to have Irish ancestors.[1] Both nations are mutual members of theOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development,United Nations and theWorld Trade Organization.[2]
The first Irish settlers arrived in Canada in the 17th century when theFrench began to arrive in present-day Canada and brought with them Irish soldiers.[3] In the 18th century, Irish fishermen would sail toNewfoundland and Labrador to fish off the coasts, and many settled in the province.[3] By 1850, over 500,000 Irish migrants arrived in Canada, though many more continued onwards to theUnited States.[3]
Before 1922, both Canada and Ireland were part of theBritish Empire and therefore had no international relations separate from British ones. From 1922 to 1937, theIrish Free State was aDominion, like Canada, under the British Crown but self-governing. Canada sent its firstHigh Commissioner to Ireland, John Hall Kelly, in 1929. This was at a time when Britain did not allow Canada to have embassies in most states, and Britain's representative in Ireland was not allowed to use the title of ambassador. In 1937, Irelandchanged its constitution to give itself more complete independence from the United Kingdom; however, there was stillsome ambiguity over the role ofthe Crown in Irish law. In 1931, after the signing of theStatute of Westminster, Canada became a sovereign and independent nation. In 1939, both nations opened resident diplomatic missions in each other's capitals, respectively.[1]
In 1948, the Taoiseach (head of government) of Ireland,John A. Costello, was visiting Canada when he announced that Ireland would declare itself a republic. The reason why he chose to announce Canada is a subject of debate. It may have been that Costello was offended by the behaviour of theGovernor General of Canada,Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, who was ofNorthern Irish descent and who allegedly placed symbols ofNorthern Ireland, notably a replica of the famousRoaring Meg cannon used in theSiege of Derry, before an affronted Costello at a state dinner. What is certain is that the prior arrangement wherebytoasts to the king (symbolising Canada) and the president (representing Ireland) were to be proposed was broken. Only a toast to the king was proposed to the fury of the Irish delegation. Shortly afterwards, Costello announced the plan to declare the republic. Other explanations for the announcement being made at this time have been offered, including the idea that the change was already planned and an Irish newspaper was about to "break" the story. Whatever the reason, theRepublic of Ireland Act 1948 soon passed with support from all parties.
In 1986, Canadian Prime MinisterBrian Mulroney announced that Canada would contribute up to $10 million over 10 years to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for economic and social development programs.[4] In recent times Canada has been an active supporter of theNorthern Ireland peace process as symbolised by former CanadianChief of the Defence StaffJohn de Chastelain heading theIndependent International Commission on Decommissioning. In August 2017, TaoiseachLeo Varadkar travelled to Canada and joined Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau in theMontréal Pride Parade.[5]
Prime Ministerial visits from Canada to Ireland[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Presidential and Prime Ministerial (Taoiseach) visits from Ireland to Canada[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][5]
In October 2016, Canada and theEuropean Union (which includes Ireland) signed a free trade agreement known as the "Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement".[20] In 2017, total trade between Canada and Ireland amounted to 2.9 billion Canadian dollars.[21] Canada's main exports to Ireland include: chemical products, vehicles and equipment, machine, mechanical, and electronic products. Ireland's main exports to Canada include chemical products, specialized instruments, food, and animal-based produce.[22]
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