Switzerland maintains close and good relations with Canada. Canada is Switzerland's second-largest economic partner in the Americas in terms of bilateral trade and direct investment. The two countries often maintain similar positions in multilateral forums. As a member of the G7 and G20, Canada plays a major role in the debate on issues of interest to Switzerland, such as international finance and taxation. As a member of NATO and an OSCE participating state, Canada is strongly committed to transatlantic relations and security in Europe.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Canada
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Canada share many of the same values, and are also linked by their federalism and multilingualism. The two countries have concluded numerous bilateral agreements, arrangements and joint declarations in a range of fields, including on mutual legal assistance, double taxation, exchange of information, air transport, and research and innovation.
Switzerland and Canada are also characterised by their open market economies, which promote trade and investment. Since 2009, a free trade agreement between Canada and EFTA has governed the two countries' busy trading relationship.
Regular dialogues are held on policies, the economy, the environment and human rights as well as in the context of the Francophonie. Since June 2019, Switzerland has also represented Iran's diplomatic interests in Canada.
Economic cooperation
Canada is Switzerland's second-largest trading partner in the Americas. In 2023, Switzerland imported goods from Canada worth almost CHF 7.6 billion, mainly jewellery and precious metals, pharmaceutical products and machinery. It exported goods worth almost CHF 4 billion to Canada, mainly pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and watches.
Switzerland is one of the ten largest foreign investors in Canada. At the end of 2022, the amount of Swiss capital invested was CHF 29 billion. In the same year, there were more than 32,780 people in Canada employed by Swiss companies.
An EFTA free trade agreement has been in force since 2009.
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
In 2023, Switzerland and Canada renewed a joint declaration on science, technology and innovation. This declaration follows on from the 'Swiss Canadian Cleantech Innovation Summit' held in March 2022, at which Switzerland and Canada sought to intensify their economic and scientific collaboration in the field of clean technologies.
On 14 June 2022 in Bern, Switzerland and Quebec signed mutual recognition agreements for five professional activities.
There is also an exchange agreement which allows for young professionals aged 18-35 to obtain a work permit for a maximum of 18 months.
Young professionals (trainees), State Secretariat for Migration SEM
Peacebuilding and human security
Like Switzerland, Canada relies on multilateral initiatives to promote peace, security and human rights, and regularly implements such initiatives to support its foreign policy interests. Equal opportunities for women, LGBTIQ+ people and ethnic and religious minorities are one of the focal points of Canadian domestic and foreign policy, alongside democracy and freedom of expression. Canada co-created the Media Freedom Coalition, of which Switzerland is also a member.
Cultural exchange
Switzerland and Canada enjoy long-standing cultural relations in a wide range of fields. There are extensive cultural exchanges, particularly between French-speaking Switzerland and Quebec. The fact that Canada and Switzerland share the French language facilitates exchanges between the two countries. In 2023, a new film co-production agreement was signed between Canada and Switzerland.
Swiss nationals in Canada
The 41,463 Swiss nationals in Canada are the world's fifth-largest group of Swiss citizens living abroad.
History of bilateral relations
Canada has welcomed Swiss emigrants since the 17th century. Switzerland's first honorary consulates were established in Montreal (1875), Toronto (1906), Vancouver and Winnipeg (1913). Diplomatic relations were established in 1945.
