Canada

Canada - Political and Economic relations

Date of update: March 25th 2026 Information still valid as of today's date

Political relations

Generally, France and Canada share the same view of international relations: they are attached to multilateralism, focus on international peace and security problems, and promote democracy, human rights and good governance. Many forums have both countries as members, including NATO, the G7, the OECD, the OSCE and the IOF. More specifically, France and Canada work closely together on issues of common interest such as cultural diversity (2005 UNESCO Convention) and responses to political or humanitarian crises (Haiti, Sahel, Levant, Ebola, Venezuela).

The Canadian Prime Minister’s visit to France in April 2018 and President Macron’s visit to Canada in June 2018 confirmed the vitality of this “exceptional partnership”. These visits illustrated the relationship between France and Canada characterized by converging views on many international issues, a desire to strengthen economic relations in the framework of the EU-Canada free trade agreement, and political dialogue in a number of strategic sectors. In 2018, Canada and France strengthened their cooperation concerning the climate, the environment, cultural diversity, development and artificial intelligence.

Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (SPM) is an important aspect of our relationship. Following the arbitral award of June 1992 on the SPM Exclusive Economic Zone, France and Canada signed an agreement in 1994 that governs fishing and regional cooperation with the four Atlantic provinces of Canada. A joint commission meets annually to strengthen this cooperation.

Economic relations

Trade between France and Canada totalled around €11.2 billion in 2017 (€6.3 billion in goods and €4.9 billion in services). France, as Canada’s twelfth-largest supplier in 2018, exported goods and services worth €3.36 billion. Our bilateral trade is dominated by four major industries: pharmaceuticals, aeronautics, agrifood (especially wines and spirits) and commodities (hydrocarbons, ores and metals). Since the provisional entry into force of the CETA, the trade balance of goods has significantly improved for France after falling for two years (up €455.1 million in 2018 and up €39.7 million in 2017).

France is currently the 14th-largest foreign investor in Canada, with direct investment stock of €8 billion in 2014. Around 600 French companies are established in Canada, particularly Quebec, employing over 85,000 people (Sodexo 11,000, Lafarge 8,000, Michelin 4,500, etc.). Total has invested heavily in the oil sands in Alberta (this sector is affected by the change in oil prices, however), while Areva is the second-largest producer of uranium in Saskatchewan. There are 200 subsidiaries of Canadian companies in France, including Bombardier, Aastra, Cascades, McCain, Quebecor, SNC Lavalin and EnCana. These companies employ around 21,000 people.