Canada-Jordan relations

Bilateral relations

2024 marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jordan and Canada. Jordan is a key partner for Canada in the Middle East, as demonstrated by our significant international assistance to Jordan and our cooperation in multiple key areas. Aside from promoting regional and international stability, mainly through the support and advocacy of sustainable solutions to the conflict in Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, our shared interests include:

Combatting terrorism and transnational crime;
Strengthening capacity to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) security threats;
Refugee protection;
Humanitarian assistance;
Free trade and commercial opportunities;
Inclusive education, accountable governance and sustainable economic growth; and
Women’s economic empowerment.

Canada and Jordan also share strong people to-people links through a Jordanian-Canadian community largely centred in Toronto, Jordanian students studying in Canada, and Canadians living and working in Jordan. Canada is represented in Jordan by its embassy in Amman, which is one of our largest in the region. Jordan is represented in Canada by its embassy in Ottawa.

From 2016 to 2025, through the Middle East Engagement Strategy, Canada contributed over $757 million to support Jordan’s stability and resilience as it managed the effects of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. Jordan hosts over 650,697 registered Syrian refugees (possibly up to 1.3 million in total), representing more than 10% of its population. In addition to Syrian refugees, Jordan hosts another 67,250 registered Iraqi refugees, as well as more than 20,000 refugees from other countries.

Trade relations

Jordan is the first Arab country with which Canada has a Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2012. Bilateral trade in 2024 exceeded $327 million. Canadian merchandise exports to Jordan were $161 million, and imports were $166 million.

Canada’s exports to Jordan are diversified and span a range of sectors, including:

Motor vehicles and parts;
Consumer goods;
Aircraft and other transportation equipment and parts;
Farm, fishing, and intermediate food products;
Electronic and electrical equipment and parts; and
Industrial machinery, equipment and parts.

Since 2011, Canada has issued 15,675 Canadian study permits to Jordanian students. The total number of Jordanian study permit holders in Canada in 2023 was 1,425.

Development

Canada is supporting Jordan’s efforts to build the resilience of refugees and host communities. Canada helps improve access to education and health services for Jordanians and refugees, provide better livelihoods for women and youth (including vocational training), advance women’s rights and protect the environment. Canada also provides humanitarian life-saving assistance to Syria and non-Syrian refugees as well as to Palestinian refugees in Jordan.

Jordan has also played a vital humanitarian role in Gaza. The Jordanian Humanitarian Corridor is the most effective way of reaching the populations of northern Gaza and is key to the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2720. Canada has allocated $315 million in international assistance to Gaza and the West Bank, including support for the Jordanian Humanitarian Corridor.

Peace and security

Canada is committed to supporting Jordan’s capacity to provide internal security and defend its borders from various threats, including those posed by terrorism and transnational criminal activity, as well as to prevent, detect, and respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, and prevent diversion to illicit uses Canada and Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defence cooperation in the spring of 2012, which reinforces the close relationship enjoyed by the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Canadian Armed Forces. In addition, a MOU on increasing security and stabilization cooperation was signed in 2016.

Through the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program, Canada delivers training, equipment and technical assistance to improve the capacity of defence and security partners. In Jordan, CTCBP supports efforts to enhance the integration of women in operational capacities throughout Jordan’s law enforcement, military forces, and border security authorities as a means of enhancing Jordan’s counterterrorism and counter-narcotics capabilities.

The Program supports Jordan’s second National Action Plan for advancing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. It also aligns with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy to help strengthen global peace and security through increased women’s representation and participation in the security sector.

A Canadian Armed Forces Training Assistance Team is also based in Jordan to implement capacity-building efforts through Operation IMPACT, part of Canada’s whole of-government approach to the Middle East. For more information, see .

Through its Weapons Threat Reduction Program, Canada has been supporting Jordan – a member country of the G7-led – to strengthen capacities to prevent, detect and respond to a broad range of CBRN threats. Programming efforts to mitigate CBRN threats have included:

The provision of CBRN personal protective and detection equipment, training for first responders and the provision of two biological laboratories to enhance biosecurity and disease detection capabilities;
Strengthening Jordan's capacity to detect and prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological materials through the supply and installation of radiation detection equipment at key border crossings and airports; provision of handheld radiation detection and identification equipment; and the delivery of related operational and maintenance training to Jordan’s Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission personnel.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Jordan work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

Date modified:: 2025-06-11

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