History of the Bilateral Relations Between Türkiye and Canada

1943 – Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between Türkiye and Canada

In June 1943, Türkiye conveyed its request to open an Embassy in Ottawa. Upon Canada’s positive response, Mehmet Ali Şevki Alhan, the first Ambassador of Türkiye to Canada, presented his letter of credence on March 6, 1944. His Canadian counterpart, Major General Victor W. Odlum, assumed office by presenting his credentials on November 26, 1947.

In addition to its Embassy in the Federal Capital Ottawa, The Republic of Türkiye has Consulates General in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. The Consulate General in Toronto (Ontario) opened on December 29, 2010; Vancouver (British Columbia) on September 15, 2015; and Montreal (Quebec) on August 23, 2017. Canada is represented in Türkiye through its Embassy in Ankara and its Consulate General in Istanbul.

1952 – Türkiye’s Accession to NATO

Canada is one of the founding members of NATO (1949). During the Cold War period, bilateral relations between Türkiye and Canada were largely shaped by military and security cooperation within the NATO framework. Both countries have participated together in several international peace operations for the promotion of global peace and stability.

1982–1985 – ASALA Terrorist Attacks Targeting Our Embassy in Ottawa and Its Personnel

Canada was one of the countries marred by the impact of the Armenian terrorism.

- On April 8, 1982, Mr. Kâni Güngör, Commercial Counselor at the Embassy, was shot and severely wounded in his residence’s parking lot. He was left permanently paralyzed.

- On August 27, 1982, Military Attaché Colonel Atilla Altıkat was assassinated while driving to work in Ottawa. The attack, claimed by the Armenian terrorist organization ASALA, remains unsolved to this day.

- On March 12, 1985, three Armenian terrorists attacked the Turkish Embassy in Ottawa. Canadian security officer Claude Brunelle lost his life while attempting to stop the attackers.

The terrorists entered the building and took 13 hostages, including Ambassador Coşkun Kırca, his wife and daughter, in addition to several staff members and their children. Ambassador Kırca was injured but survived the attack.

1999 – Establishment of the G20

Within the framework of their G20 memberships, Türkiye and Canada have engaged in ongoing cooperation and dialogue on global economic and financial issues.

2004 – Recognition of the So-Called “Armenian Genocide” by the Canadian House of Commons

Canada is among some countries that name the 1915 events as a so-called “genocide.” In 2004, the Canadian Parliament passed a resolution to this effect. Furthermore, April was declared as “Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month,” and April 24 as “Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.”

Post-2010 Period

- H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of the Republic of Türkiye participated in G20 Summit which was held in Toronto on June 26-27, 2010,, during his tenure as Prime Minister.

- Former Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau participated in the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya on November 15–16, 2015.

- On June 8, 2019, at the G20 Trade Ministers Meeting, then-Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) between the two countries.

- The first JETCO meeting was held in Istanbul on November 13, 2019, hosted by Deputy Minister Gonca Işık Yılmaz Batur. The Canadian delegation was led by Jonathan Fried, former Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for International Trade and former Canadian G20 Sherpa.

- On November 14, 2019, the 16th Türkiye–Canada Joint Business Council Meeting was organized by DEİK in Istanbul. On November 15, 2019, the Türkiye–Canada Business Forum was held in Ankara, hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB).

- On February 18, 2023, former Canadian Prime Minister the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau conveyed his condolences and well wishes to H.E. President Erdoğan following the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye during a phone call.

Recent Visits and Current Developments

- On December 9, 2023, within the framework of the OIC–Arab League Contact Group’s efforts to end the war in Gaza and achieve lasting peace, H.E. Minister Fidan visited Ottawa.

- Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada the Honourable Mélanie Joly visited Türkiye on May 15–16, 2024.

- On December 3, 2024, H.E.Minister Fidan met with the Hon. Mélanie Joly during the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels to discuss developments in Syria and the situation in Gaza.

- Former Minister of International Development The Hon. Ahmed Hussen visited Türkiye from January 9–11, 2025, and held bilateral meetings with Deputy Minister Nuh Yılmaz and TİKA President Serkan Kayalar.

Sectoral Cooperation and Business Engagement

- Turkish companies regularly participate in Canada’s only international defense industry fair, CANSEC, as well as in the annual PDAC Mining Convention organized by the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada.

- A large group of representatives from DEİK and Turkish companies participated in the PDAC 2025 Mining Convention held in Toronto on March 3–5, 2025.