Relationship dossier
Canada
Syria
Relationship assessment
Sanctions and diplomatic confrontation have shaped Canada–Syria relations.
Canada toward Syria
-50Canada imposed sanctions on the Syrian government and suspended operations at its embassy in Damascus in 2012, reflecting opposition to the Syrian government’s conduct during the conflict.
Syria toward Canada
-35In 2012, Syria declared Canada’s ambassador persona non grata amid diplomatic expulsions following the Houla massacre and international condemnation of the Syrian government.
Overall relationship
-40The relationship has been shaped by Canadian sanctions and the breakdown of normal diplomatic engagement, alongside Syria’s retaliatory diplomatic action. Canadian humanitarian aid and refugee resettlement have addressed the effects of the Syrian conflict, but are distinct from cooperation with Syria’s government.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Canada has maintained sanctions against the Syrian government and suspended operations at its embassy in Damascus in 2012. Syria responded to the diplomatic fallout by declaring Canada’s ambassador persona non grata. Canadian humanitarian assistance and refugee resettlement have addressed the Syrian crisis, but do not amount to substantive cooperation with the Syrian government. The relationship has therefore been marked mainly by sanctions and diplomatic confrontation.
Areas of tension
- Canadian sanctions on the Syrian government.
- Diplomatic expulsions and the suspension of Canadian embassy operations in Damascus.
- International criticism of the Syrian government’s conduct during the conflict.
Key developments
Canada imposed sanctions on the Syrian government.
Canada suspended operations at its embassy in Damascus.
Syria declared Canada’s ambassador persona non grata amid diplomatic expulsions.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of Canadian sanctions have changed over time.
- The extent of direct government-to-government contact after the embassy closure is unclear.