Canada–Syria relations were established on 20 May 1965, and they have been significantly affected by the ongoing Syrian Civil War since 2011.
Canada and Ba'athist Syria opened embassies in each other's countries following the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1965.[2] Relations became strained due to Assadist Syria's human rights issues and involvement in regional conflicts, and Canada's diplomatic stance shifted further with the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.[3][4][5]
Canada closed its embassy in Damascus on 5 March 2012 and suspended formal diplomatic relations,[6] while Syria’s embassy in Ottawa was closed on 29 May 2012.[7] For political reasons, the Syrian consulate in Montreal was closed in 2016.[8]
As of November 2024, Syria still has an honorary consulate in Vancouver.[9]
After the collapse of the Ba'athist rule in Syria in December 2024, Canada welcomed the end of the Assad regime, and Syrian exiles across Canada celebrated its fall.[10][11]
In March 2025, Canada has officially suspended economic sanctions against Syria and has appointed the ambassador to Lebanon, Stefanie McCollum, to be its non-resident ambassador to Syria.[12][13]
Canada has been an active humanitarian donor during the Syrian crisis, contributing funds for Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons.[14] Canada is one of the largest resettlement countries for Syrian refugees, admitting tens of thousands since the beginning of the war.[15]
Canada has imposed sanctions on the Assad regime officials and institutions in response to human rights abuses.[16] It has also supported international efforts to seek accountability for war crimes in the Syrian Civil War.[5]
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