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 Canada |  Ireland |
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Canada and Ireland enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centres on the history of Irish migration to Canada and the two countries' shared history as parts of the British Empire. Approximately 4.5 million Canadians claimed to have Irish ancestors (approximately 14% of Canada's population). [1] Both nations are mutual members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations and the World Trade Organization. [2]
The first Irish settlers to arrive in Canada came in the 17th century when the French began to arrive in present-day Canada and brought with them Irish soldiers. [3] In the 18th century, Irish fisherman would sail to Newfoundland and Labrador to fish off the coasts and many settled in the province. [3] By 1850, over 500,000 Irish migrants arrived in Canada, though many did continue onwards to the United States. [3]
Before 1922 both Canada and Ireland were part of the British Empire and therefore had no international relations separate from British ones. From 1922 to 1937 the Irish Free State was a Dominion, like Canada, under the British Crown but self-governing. Canada sent its first High Commissioner to Ireland, [John Hall Kelly], in 1929. This at a time when Britain did not allow Canada to have embassies in most states and Britain's representative in Ireland was not allowed to use the title of ambassador. In 1937 Ireland changed its constitution to give itself more complete independence from the United Kingdom, however there was still some ambiguity over the role of the Crown in Irish law. In 1931, after the signing of the Statute of Westminster, Canada became a sovereign and independent nation. In 1939, both nations opened resident diplomatic missions in each other's capitals, respectively. [1]
In 1948 the Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland, John A. Costello, was visiting Canada when he announced that Ireland would declare itself a republic. The reason why he chose to make the announcement in Canada is a subject of debate. It may have been that Costello was offended by the behaviour of the Governor General of Canada, Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, who was of Northern Irish descent and who allegedly placed symbols of Northern Ireland, notably a replica of the famous Roaring Meg cannon used in the Siege of Derry, before an affronted Costello at a state dinner. What is certain is that the prior arrangement whereby toasts to the king (symbolising Canada) and the president (representing Ireland) were to be proposed, was broken. Only a toast to the king was proposed, to the fury of the Irish delegation. Shortly afterwards Costello announced the plan to declare the republic. Other explanations for the announcement being made at this time have been offered, including the idea that the change was already planned and an Irish newspaper was about to "break" the story. Whatever the reason the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 soon passed with support from all parties.
In 1986, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced that Canada would contribute up to $10 million over 10 years to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for economic and social development programs. [4] In recent times Canada has been an active supporter of the Northern Ireland peace process as symbolised by former Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff John de Chastelain heading the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning.
In August 2017, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar came to Canada and joined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Montréal Pride Parade. [5]
Prime Ministerial visits from Canada to Ireland [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Presidential and Prime Ministerial (Taoiseach) visits from Ireland to Canada [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [5]
In October 2016, Canada and the European Union (which includes Ireland) signed a free trade agreement known as the "Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement". [20] In 2017, total trade between Canada and Ireland amounted to $2.9 billion Canadian dollars. [21] Canada's main exports to Ireland include: chemical products, vehicles and equipment, machine, mechanical and electronic products. Ireland's main exports to Canada include: chemical products, specialized instruments, food and animal based produce. [22]
The Taoiseach is the head of government, or prime minister, of Ireland. The office is appointed by the president of Ireland upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann and the office-holder must retain the support of a majority in the Dáil to remain in office.
The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 is an Act of the Oireachtas which declared that the description of Ireland was to be the Republic of Ireland, and vested in the president of Ireland the power to exercise the executive authority of the state in its external relations, on the advice of the Government of Ireland. The Act was signed into law on 21 December 1948 and came into force on 18 April 1949, Easter Monday, the 33rd anniversary of the beginning of the Easter Rising.
Enda Kenny is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017, Leader of Fine Gael from 2002 to 2017, Minister for Defence from May to July 2014 and 2016 to 2017, Leader of the Opposition from 2002 to 2011, Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997 and Minister of State at the Department of Labour and Department of Education with responsibility for Youth Affairs from 1986 to 1987. He served as Teachta Dála (TD) for Mayo West from 1975 to 1997 and for Mayo from 1997 to 2020.
The Taoiseach is the head of government of Ireland. Prior to the enactment of the Constitution of Ireland in 1937, the head of government was referred to as the President of the Executive Council. This office was first held by W. T. Cosgrave from 1922 to 1932, and then by Éamon de Valera from 1932 to 1937. By convention Taoisigh are numbered to include Cosgrave, for example Micheál Martin is considered the 15th Taoiseach.
Events in the year 1975 in Ireland.
Events in the year 1967 in Ireland.
Events from the year 1951 in Ireland.
Events from the year 1948 in Ireland.
Events from the year 1938 in Ireland.
Leo Eric Varadkar is an Irish politician who has served as Taoiseach since December 2022, and previously from 2017 to 2020. He served as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from June 2020 to December 2022. He has been Leader of Fine Gael since June 2017, and a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin West constituency since 2007. He previously served under Taoiseach Enda Kenny as Minister for Social Protection from 2016 to 2017, Minister for Health from 2014 to 2016 and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport from 2011 to 2014.
Fine Gael is a political party in Ireland, formed in 1933 as a merger of Cumann na nGaedheal, the National Centre Party, and the Blueshirts.
The nations of Canada and Mexico established formal diplomatic relations in 1944. Initially, ties between the two nations were dormant, but since the 1990s relations between Canada and Mexico have positively developed as both countries brokered NAFTA.
Bilateral relations between the Argentine Republic and Canada have existed for over a century. Both nations are members of the Cairns Group, G20, Organization of American States and the United Nations.
Diplomatic relations exist between Australia and Ireland. Australia and Ireland share a historical connection and remained part of the British Empire until their respective independence. Over 300,000 Irish settlers migrated to Australia to escape poverty in their homeland and over 2 million Australian citizens claim Irish ancestry. Both nations are mutual members of the Australia Group, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
The France–Ireland relations refers to the diplomatic relations between the French Republic and Ireland. France and Ireland are both members of the Council of Europe, European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Ireland is an associate member of La Francaphonie.
Canada–Italy are the current and historical relations between Canada and Italy. Both nations enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centres on the history of Italian migration to Canada. Approximately 1.5 million Canadians claim to have Italian ancestry. Both nations are members of the G7, G20, NATO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Foreign relations between the Argentine Republic and Ireland, have existed for over a century. Both nations share a history of Irish culture due to the fact that over 50,000 Irish settlers migrated to Argentina. Argentina is home to the fifth largest Irish community abroad and the biggest in a non-English speaking nation. Over half a million Argentine nationals claim Irish heritage. Both nations are members of the United Nations.
Events during the year 2017 in Ireland.
Canada–Senegal relations are the diplomatic relations between Canada and Senegal. Both nations are members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
The 2017 Fine Gael leadership election was triggered in May 2017, when Enda Kenny resigned as party leader. Voting began by members of Fine Gael and Young Fine Gael on 29 May 2017. On 2 June Leo Varadkar was announced as the victor, beating rival Simon Coveney. With Fine Gael being the governing party at the time, this election effectively appointed a new Taoiseach for Ireland.
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