The relationship between Cuba and Canada unofficially began in the 1700s with Canadian ships crossing the Atlantic coastline to offer for sale fish and beer to Cuba. The ships would return home with stocks of rum and sugar which were major products of Cuba.
Cuba was the first country in the Caribbean selected by Canada for a diplomatic mission. Official diplomatic relations were established in 1945, when Emile Vaillancourt, a noted writer and historian, was designated Canada’s representative in Cuba. Canada and Mexico were the only two countries in the hemisphere not to break relations with Cuba following the Cuban revolution in 1959.
Both Canada and Cuba have enjoyed peaceful and friendly relations for hundreds of years. Even during the turbulent times of the 1950s and 1960s, Canada remained friendly towards. This endorsed relationship has resulted in abundant trade and tourism between the two nations therefore benefiting both sides economically.
In Cuba, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada in Havana.
In Canada, Cuba is represented by an Embassy in Ottawa. Cuba also has consulates in Montréal and Toronto.
Canada supports a future for Cuba that fully embraces the fundamental values of freedom, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Canada has consistently recognised Cuba’s strong commitment to economic and social rights, with its important and good achievements in the areas of education and health and therefore has urged Cuban authorities to achieve similar progress with regard to basic civil and political rights, such as freedom of speech and the press.
There is a very successful Canadian-inspired annual event in Cuba that is run in honour of Terry Fox, a national hero who decided to run across Canada for cancer research. The Terry Fox Run in Cuba has become the largest in the world outside of Canada.
Canadian history, geography and policies are also promoted through Canadian Studies Centres which are located in six universities across Cuba.
Cuba is the fifth most popular overseas destination for Canadians (after the United States, Mexico, UK and France); nearly 35 per cent of all visitors to Cuba are Canadian. Cuba offers special visa types for Canadians to stay for up to 90 days per visa, while nationals from other countries are only given 30 days per visa. Additionally, visitor cards are given to Canadians free of charge, while citizens of other countries must purchase them before being allowed to enter Cuba.