Canada-Jamaica Relations

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

Beginning of Diplomatic Relations

Canada's relations with Jamaica go back a very long way. Canada officially established diplomatic relations and opened its High Commission in Jamaica on September 7, 1962. On March 4, 1963, Graham McInnes became Canada's first High Commissioner to Jamaica. The High Commission is responsible for Canada's general relations and trade and consular programs in other countries or territories in its area of accreditation: the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Canada and Jamaica often cooperate within the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the Organization of American States.

Key Issues

• Security:
  The field of security is one of the main areas of cooperation between Canada and Jamaica. Canada has provided significant training assistance through the Department of National Defence to the Jamaica Defence Force. The RCMP also run a police liaison program in Jamaica.

• Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program:
  Jamaica is part of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, which provides an opportunity for Caribbean farm workers to work in Canada temporarily, primarily during the harvesting of fruit and vegetable crops. The program has helped alleviate unemployment in the region and generates significant foreign exchange.

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

CIDA supports projects in the Americas and around the world that are eligible for Canadian aid through development cooperation initiatives.

April 2005