Canada-Ecuador relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Ecuador have maintained official bilateral diplomatic relations since 1960. However, our bilateral ties began at the beginning of the 20th century when Canadian railway engineers, mining experts and missionaries worked in Ecuador.
Canada is represented in Ecuador by the Embassy of Canada in Quito and it has an Honorary Consulate in Guayaquil. Ecuador is represented in Canada by the in Ottawa, and it has Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver.
Canada’s immigration processes for Ecuador are managed by . There is also a .
Bilateral relations between Canada with Ecuador are governed by shared values, including a commitment to prosperity, democracy, human rights, and an international rules-based system, as well as a vibrant exchange in education.
Education
In recent years, Canada has positioned itself as an attractive destination for Ecuadorian students, with a sustained increase in the number of Ecuadorians who study in Canada each year, becoming the fourth highest Latin American country to send students to Canada. For additional information visit the . As of 2009, the Canadian government has fostered the development of human talent through scholarships, such as . We continue to strengthen the ties and collaboration between our countries by sharing knowledge, and creating links in the education sector based on new inter-institutional education relations and joint research.
Trade relations
Bilateral trade, measuring $1.9 billion in 2024, is a rapidly growing and increasingly prominent dimension within Canada and Ecuador’s bilateral relationship. Commercial relations between Canada and Ecuador are complementary, especially with respect to the majority of trade of agricultural products, including tropical fruits, flowers, cacao and seafood to Canada; and wheat, lentils, and peas to Ecuador. In 2002, the double taxation treaty signed between Canada and Ecuador took effect.
Sectors that the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) has identified as priorities – that is, where Canadian capabilities and interest match local opportunities and demand – are agriculture, clean technology, education, extractives, and infrastructure. Canadian Direct Investment in Ecuador, at $4.3 billion in 2024, has tripled in the last 5 years making Canada one of the largest foreign investors in Ecuador, largely due to investments in the natural resource development sector.
In November 2022, Canada and Ecuador announced the launch of exploratory discussions toward a potential Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement.
The Government of Canada held public consultations from January 6 to February 21, 2023, where Canadians were invited to submit .
Canadians are also invited to share their views on potential environmental and gender - or inclusivity-related risks associated with a Canada–Ecuador FTA in Canada and beyond.
On December 13, 2023, the Hon. Mary Ng, then Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development tabled in the House of Commons the Government's Notice of Intent to initiate negotiations for a Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement.
On March 19, 2024, the Hon. Mary Ng also tabled in the House of Commons Canada's Objectives for Negotiations for a Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement.
Canada and Ecuador launched FTA negotiations in April 2024. Substantive negotiations concluded in January 2025 after six rounds. The Hon. Mary Ng issued a on February 4, 2025, to announce the conclusion of negotiations between Canada and Ecuador.
In May 2025, while in Quito for President Noboa’s inauguration, the Hon. Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade signed a joint statement with Ecuador celebrating the conclusion of negotiations.
Ecuador joined the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA) on May 15, 2023, as a means to work closely with Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Peru to promote gender responsive trade policies and advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
Ecuador joined the Inclusive Trade Action Group (ITAG) on May 15, 2023, in order to work together with ITAG partners (Canada, Chile, Mexico, and New Zealand) to help make international trade policies more inclusive in order to ensure that the benefits of trade and investment are more broadly shared.
The Ecuadorian-Canadian Chambers of Commerce located in Quito and Guayaquil promote commercial and cultural exchange between Ecuador and Canada.
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Development
Over the past decade, Canadian international assistance in Ecuador has totalled more than $96 million; including $14.2 million in 2023-2024.
Ecuador is a democratic, upper-middle-income country that achieved significant economic growth and poverty reduction between 2001 and 2015. However, this trajectory was interrupted by a series of global and regional challenges, including a sharp decline in oil prices, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Venezuelan migrant crisis, and broader geopolitical dynamics. Despite more recent political instability and security concerns, the country remains focused on building a more stable, inclusive and sustainable future. Canada is working with Ecuador to help address these complex issues and support its continued development.
Canada’s international assistance in Ecuador focuses on strengthening democratic governance and institutional capacity, promoting gender equality and inclusive economic growth, and advancing climate action. This includes technical assistance and funding for initiatives that enhance state capacity, uphold the rule of law, and combat crime and corruption. Canada also plays a key role in supporting transparent and inclusive electoral processes—for example, Canada contributed significantly to the Electoral Observation Missions led by the Organization of American States and the European Union for Ecuador’s 2025 general election.
Canada is committed to advancing gender equality, and is funding regional initiatives in Ecuador that improve sexual and reproductive health, reduce sexual and gender-based violence, dismantle barriers to equal participation, and support women’s economic empowerment.
Canada and Ecuador are also actively engaged in combatting climate change, as well as protecting biodiversity and the environment. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is partnering with the Government of Ecuador to detect and prevent illegal fishing in and around the Galapagos. Canada is also supporting Ecuador’s adoption of clean energy solutions in collaboration with Indigenous communities.
Canada's $120 million sovereign loan to Ecuador supports its energy transition by promoting investments in renewable energy and facilitating access to clean and reliable energy. As part of the agreement, $6.5 million in technical assistance provided by the Inter-American Development Bank will enhance the capacity of Ecuador's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to promote an inclusive energy sector that creates opportunities for women, Indigenous communities, and people with disabilities while ensuring universal access to clean energy.
Canada’s international assistance in Ecuador responds to regional, multi-country and transboundary issues, such as the Venezuelan migrant crisis, drug and human trafficking and cybercrime.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Ecuador work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- Pacific Alliance
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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