Canada-Guyana Relations

Fact Sheet: General country information, political and economic data.

Beginning of Diplomatic Relations

Canada and Guyana have enjoyed good diplomatic relations since 1964. The High Commission in Georgetown, in collaboration with our Honorary Consulate in Paramaribo, Suriname, actively promotes political, commercial, development, educational and other links with Guyana and Suriname. The mission is also accredited to the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) which has its headquarters in Georgetown.

Key Issues

• Boycott of Parliament : The main opposition parties have adopted a policy of selective participation in parliamentary activities due to what it feels is the overly limited scope of the government's inquiry into a recent wave of extra-judicial killings.

• Guyana-Suriname Border Dispute : The Government of Guyana recently decided to take its longstanding offshore maritime boundary dispute with Suriname to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.

• Elections (Suriname):
  National elections are due to be held in May 2005. One of the major candidates is ex-military dictator Desi Bouterse.

Trade and Investment

International Trade Canada is responsible for positioning Canada as a world business leader and for promoting Canada as a dynamic place to do business. Visit the International Trade Canada web site for information about services for Canadian companies, non-Canadian companies, business development, and information relating to investment or trade policy.

Indigenous Relations

Learn more about the Aboriginal dimension of Canada's relations with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Development Assistance

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) supports projects in more than 150 countries around the world including countries in the Americas. For information about these projects, visit CIDA's Americas web page.

April 2005