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{{Infobox bilateral relations|British–Canadian|Canada|United Kingdom|map=United Kingdom Canada Locator.svg}} {{Infobox bilateral relations|British–Canadian|Canada|United Kingdom|map=United Kingdom Canada Locator.svg}}
'''British–Canadian relations''' (also called '''Canada – United Kingdom relations''')<ref name="dfait">http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/united-kingdom-bb-en.aspx Foreign Affairs: Canada – United Kingdom Relations</ref> are the bilateral relations between the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom. London and Ottawa enjoy cooperative and intimate contact; the two countries are related through history, through language, through the ], and their sharing of the same ] and ]. Despite this shared history, the UK is no longer Canada's largest trading partner, and the two nations are now in separate trade blocs, the EU and NAFTA. '''British–Canadian relations''' (also called '''Canada – United Kingdom relations''')<ref name="dfait">http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/united-kingdom-bb-en.aspxomous, but not fully ], ]. As Canada became sovereign, direct bilateral ties were loosened, but both countries continued to be allies, and after the second World War both countries became small parts of the much larger ].

== History ==
{{main|Constitutional history of Canada|Foreign relations of Canada}}
British-Canadian relations are characterized by a long history of extremely close ties, although not always as equals. Before ] in 1867, Canada was a collection of British colonies, and after that date an autonomous, but not fully ], ]. As Canada became sovereign, direct bilateral ties were loosened, but both countries continued to be allies, and after the second World War both countries became small parts of the much larger ].


The history of relations between Canada and the UK well into the 20th Century is really the story of Canada's slow evolution towards full sovereignty. The history of relations between Canada and the UK well into the 20th Century is really the story of Canada's slow evolution towards full sovereignty.

Revision as of 00:18, 12 October 2012

Bilateral relations
British–Canadian relations
Map indicating locations of Canada and United Kingdom

Canada

United Kingdom

British–Canadian relations (also called Canada – United Kingdom relations)Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

In bottom-line terms, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and the UK reached almost C$21 billion in 2006, with two-way investment stocks totaling C$98 billion. The UK accounted for C$10.1 billion of exports from Canada, with gold, uranium and nickel – together with higher exports of aircraft and telecommunications equipment – sitting high on the list. The UK ranks second in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Canada, valued at C$39 billion in 2006, up 29.9 per cent on the previous year. The UK is also the second largest destination of Canadian direct investment abroad, valued at C$59 billion (11.3 per cent of the global total), up 20.7 per cent on 2005, positioning Canada as the third largest investor in the UK, following the US and France.

On 9 February 2011, the boards of the London Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange agreed to a deal in which both holding companies for the stock exchanges would merge, creating a leading exchange group with the largest number of listed companies in the world, and a combined market capitalisation of £3.7 trillion (C$5.8 trillion). The merged was ultimately cancelled on 29 June 2011 when it became obvious TMX shareholders would not give the needed two-thirds approval.

Tourism

In 2004, about 800,000 British residents visited Canada, making the United Kingdom Canada's second-largest source of tourists after the United States. That same year, UK visitors spent almost C$1 billion while visiting Canada. Britain was the third most-popular international destination for Canadian tourists in 2003, after the United States and Mexico – with some 700,000 visitors spending over C$800 million.

Defence and security

See also: Canada's role in the invasion of Afghanistan, Britain's role in the 2001-present Afghan war, and Libyan no-fly zone

Both countries are members of NATO. Before 2011, the two countries' main areas of defence cooperation was in Afghanistan, where both were involved in the dangerous southern provinces, however Canada has since withdrawn. However, both have provided air power to the NATO-led mission over Libya.

Migration

Further information: History of immigration to Canada, English-Canadian, Scottish Canadian, Welsh Canadian, and Canadians in the United Kingdom

From the conquest of New France until 1966, Britain remained one of Canada's largest sources of immigrants, usually the largest. Since 1967, when Canadian laws were changed to remove preferences that had been given to Britons and other Europeans, British migration to Canada has continued at a lower level. When the constituent nations of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) are taken together, people of British ancestry still form Canada's largest ethnic group.

Historically, Canadians have travelled to Britain to advance their careers or studies to higher levels than could be done at home. Britain acted as the metropole, or centre, to which Canadians gravitated; this function has to a large extent been reduced as the Canadian economy and institutions have developed.

Quotes

  • Canada's future first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, speaking in 1865, hoped that, if the Canadian colonies created a new federation, then Britain and Canada would have "a healthy and cordial alliance. Instead of looking upon us as a merely dependent colony, England will have in us a friendly nation, a subordinate but still a powerful people to stand by her in North America in peace or in war."
  • Speaking many years later at the beginning of the 1891 election (fought mostly over Canadian free trade with the United States), Macdonald said on February 3, 1891: "As for myself, my course is clear. A British subject I was born; a British subject I will die. With my utmost effort, with my latest breath, will I oppose the ‘veiled treason’ which attempts, by sordid means and mercenary proffers, to lure our people from their allegiance."

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/united_kingdom/can_UK-en.asp Canadian High Commission in London Cite error: The named reference "canlondon" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1016709--toronto-london-stock-exchange-merger-terminated
  3. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada – Canada and the World: A History – 1867 – 1896: Forging a Nation
  4. Histor!ca "Election of 1891: A Question of Loyalty", James Marsh.
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