As a
Commonwealth country, Canada's
diplomatic missions in the capitals of other Commonwealth countries are referred to as
High Commissions (as opposed to
embassies). Canada has diplomatic and consular offices (including
honorary consuls that are not included in this list) in over 270 locations in approximately 180 foreign countries. Under the terms of the
Canada–Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement, the two countries provide consular services to each other's citizens at a number of locations around the world. At this time, there are 19 locations where Canadian offices provide consular services to Australians, and 12 other cities where Canadians can obtain consular services from Australian offices. In an emergency, Canadians can also seek assistance from British offices around the world if there is no resident Canadian office. The province of
Quebec has its own
Ministry of International Relations (
French:
Ministère des Relations internationales) and a network of 33 offices in 18 countries "to promote and defend Québec's interests internationally while ensuring respect for its authority and the consistency of government activities." Other provinces, such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, also maintain offices abroad.
Recent developments On March 5, 2012, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs
John Baird announced that Canada was suspending its embassy in Syria, effective immediately, in response to the deteriorating security situation caused by the
Syrian civil war. As a result, the Canadian Embassy in
Amman, Jordan and
Beirut, Lebanon now handles visa applications for Syrian citizens. Emergency consular assistance for Canadians living in Syria are done on behalf of the Embassy of Hungary in Damascus. On September 7, 2012, Canada severed
diplomatic ties with Iran and closed its embassy in Tehran, citing Iran's material support to the
Assad regime during the
Syrian civil war, non-compliance with United Nations resolutions regarding its nuclear program, continuing threats to Israel, and fears for the safety of Canadian diplomats following
attacks on the British embassy in Iran in violation of the
Vienna Convention. In addition, Canada formally listed the Iranian regime as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. The Canadian
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade advised all Canadians against travelling to Iran. Consular services would be assured by the
Embassy of Canada in Ankara, Turkey and the department's Emergency Watch and Response Centre. The Canadian Embassy in
Bogotá, Colombia now handles consular assistance for Canadian citizens living in Venezuela. == Current missions ==