The Enduring Partnership of Canada and Jamaica

Somewhere within the span of history between Canada's first capital and Jamaica's second, a day to remember with the turning of a new leaf in the 159-year history of Jamaica's northernmost neighbour and the recognition of 63 years of diplomatic relations.

 

The High Commission of Canada in Jamaica hosted its 2026 Canada Day reception at the official residence in Kingston.

 

More than 300,000 Canadians trace their heritage to the island and considerably more than that number journey to Jamaican shores each year, representing the island's second largest origin market for visitors with among the highest rates of return.

 

His Excellency Mark Burman, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, reaffirmed the mutual appreciation of an enduring commitment between the nations and the future strengthening of those ties.

 

“Jamaica isn't just simply a neighbour in Canada's foreign policy. Jamaica is our anchor and our most significant bilateral partner in the English-speaking Caribbean. And that is not a title we use lightly.”

 

He said, “159 years ago, Canada made a bet on itself, that people of vastly different origins, languages, and traditions could build something greater together than any one of them could build alone. On Canada Day, we paused to ask, how are we doing? What have we built? and how alongside partners like Jamaica can we continue to build a more sustainable, a more prosperous and more connected world.”

 

Made demonstrable to many within a moment of duress.

 

Burman said, “60 years of partnership means you already know what to do. You show up. And Canada provided over 1.4 billion Jamaican dollars in humanitarian and short-term development assistance to support Jamaica in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. Looking ahead, the Canada Jamaica relationship is entering an exciting chapter.

 

Our bilateral conversations are deepening around migration and labour mobility, regional security cooperation, and expanding trade and investment in ways that create real economic opportunity on both sides, aligned with Canada's broader commitment to diversifying partnerships and building integrated, mutually beneficial relationships.”

 

During calmer times, over US, $220 million in trade is exchanged between Canada and Jamaica. In April 2026, Jamaica exported 16.9 million Canadian dollars and imported 9.62 million from Canada, resulting in a positive trade balance, with two of the top three exports of Jamaica to Canada representing the growing appetite for trade in cassava and baked goods.

 

“In fact,” Burman said, “One of the great Canada Jamaica success stories is culinary culinary diplomacy. Somewhere along the way, the Jamaican patty became a Canadian institution. I certainly knew it before I came to Jamaica. And there are many Canadians who have never visited Jamaica, but have very, very strong opinions about where to find the best patty. Few bilateral relationships can claim to have improved lunchtime so significantly.”

 

In April 2026, the number three import of Jamaica from Canada was processed fish, without which the national dish of Jamaica would not be possible. However, Jamaica's agricultural connections to Canada have deeper roots still, as the remarkable legacy of the seasonal agricultural worker program established in 1966 was recognized by both the State Minister Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge and the High Commissioner.

 

Burman said, “This marks the 60th anniversary of the seasonal agricultural workers program, one of the longest standing and most consequential bilateral partnerships between Canada and any country in the world.

 

Today, more than 9,000 Jamaicans make that journey every single year, contributing to Canadian agriculture, sending earnings home to Jamaican families, and weaving the two countries together in ways that no trade agreement can fully capture.”

 

Terrelonge said, “High Commissioner, you can be assured of the commitment of the governments and people of Jamaica to deepening the special relationship and to explore new avenues of cooperation to the benefit of our respective peoples.”

 

Burman expressed that when Canada deepens its relationship with Jamaica, it is not seen as  doing Jamaica a favour.

“We don't come to Jamaica just to look for opportunity. We come to Jamaica to build together. And the proof of that is not measured in months. is measured in decades.”

 

Terrelonge, during his presentation said, “The relationship between Jamaica and Canada is one that continues to flourish, grounded in mutual respect, enriched by our peoples, and strengthened by our shared aspirations for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.”

 

Inspiring optimism for the opportunities that lay ahead.

 

In closing Burman said, “In addition to government funding development assistance, the Canadian private sector has a long history of contributing to Jamaica's economic development and prosperity. And our companies with expertise in key sectors including clean technology, climate resilient infrastructure and agriculture among others are eager to collaborate with local partners to support post Melissa recovery efforts. And Minister Hill, I'll be in to see you on Thursday to talk about it.”