Published on 10 June 2026

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Canada

Switzerland has maintained relations with Canada since 1946. Relations are good, close and multifaceted. Canada is Switzerland's second most important economic partner in the Americas, especially for trade and direct investment. Multilaterally, both countries often take similar positions. As a G7, G20 and NATO member and OSCE participating State, Canada is an important partner for the economy, transatlantic relations and security in Europe.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

Switzerland and Canada share common interests and values, as well as federal structures and multilingual populations. The two countries have numerous bilateral agreements and joint declarations in areas such as mutual legal assistance, double taxation, information exchange, air transport, research and innovation.

Both economies are open and market-oriented. Trade and investment have been supported since 2009 by a free trade agreement between Canada and EFTA.

Regular dialogues take place on politics, the economy, the environment, human rights and La Francophonie. Since June 2019, Switzerland has represented Iran's diplomatic interests in Canada.

Treaty database

Government of Canada

Economic cooperation

Canada is Switzerland's second most important trading partner in the Americas. In 2026 Switzerland imported around CHF 7.7 billion in goods from Canada – mostly precious metals, pharmaceutical products and machinery – while Swiss exports to Canada totalled around CHF 4.2 billion. Switzerland mainly exports pharmaceutical products, agricultural products and watches.

Its total direct investment in Canada reached nearly CHF 17 billion at the end of 2024, with Swiss companies employing more than 32,780 people there in the same year.

A bilateral free trade agreement has been in force since 2009.

Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

Switzerland and Canada renewed a joint declaration on science, technology and innovation in 2023, following on from the Swiss-Canadian Cleantech Innovation Summit in March 2022. Switzerland also promotes new opportunities for cooperation through events such as the Swiss-Canadian Innovation Days.

On 14 June 2022 and 26 November 2024, Switzerland and Quebec signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications in five professions.

There is also an agreement in place on the exchange of young professionals aged 18 to 35, allowing them to obtain a work permit for up to 18 months.

Young professionals (trainees), State Secretariat for Migration SEM

Peacebuilding and human security

Like Switzerland, Canada promotes peace, security and human rights through multilateral initiatives, and launches these regularly in pursuit of its foreign policy interests. Key topics include equal opportunities for women, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, and religious and ethnic minorities. Democracy and freedom of expression are also priorities for the country. Canada is the initiator of the Media Freedom Coalition, of which Switzerland is also a member.

Cultural exchange

The two countries have maintained diverse cultural relations for many years, and there are lively exchanges between French-speaking Switzerland and Quebec in particular. Indeed, the fact that both Canada and Switzerland are francophone countries facilitates such exchanges. The two nations signed a new agreement on film co-production in 2023.

Swiss nationals in Canada

Based on the statistics on Swiss citizens abroad, 41,958 people with Swiss citizenship were living in Canada at the end of 2025. This makes it the fifth-largest community of Swiss citizens abroad.

History of bilateral relations

Canada has been a destination for Swiss emigrants since the 17th century. Switzerland's first honorary consulates were established in Montreal (1875), Toronto (1906), Vancouver and Winnipeg (1913). Diplomatic relations were established in 1946.

Canada, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)

Diplomatic Documents of Switzerland, Dodis

Documents

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