The first Italian to arrive to Canada was explorer Giovanni Caboto, a navigator from Venice, who explored and claimed the coasts of Newfoundland for England in 1497. In 1524, Giovanni da Verrazzano explored part of Atlantic Canada for France. In the early 1800s, Italians began migrating to Canada with the majority arriving in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Many Italians participated and took part in building Canadian cities, working on the railroad, building ports, shipping and mining; all of which led to the modern creation of Canada. For most of World War I, Canada and Italy were allies during the war. During World War II, Canada and Italy were on opposing sides. On 10 June 1940, Canada declared war on Italy after Italian Prime MinisterBenito Mussolini declared war on France and the United Kingdom. Canada partook in the Italian Campaign and the 1st Canadian Division and 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade participated in the invasion of Sicily, Moro River Campaign and in the Battle of Monte Cassino. Between 1940 and 1943, approximately 600 Italian-Canadian men were arrested and sent to internment camps as potentially dangerous enemy aliens. After the second world war ended, Canada and Italy established diplomatic relations in 1947. Canada and Italy have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxationwith Respect to Taxes on Income and for the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion and an Agreement of Social Security. In 1981, both nations signed an Extradition Treaty and in 1984, both nations signed a Cultural Cooperation Agreement. There are direct flights between both nations with the following airlines: Air Canada, Air Transat and Alitalia. There have been numerous visits between Canadian and Italian Prime Ministers, most mainly taking place in summits held by the G7, G8, G20 and NATO.
In 2016, trade between Canada and Italy totaled C$9.88 billion. Canada's main exports to Italy include: Pharmaceutical products, cereals and mineral fuels. Italy's main exports to Canada include: Nuclear Reactors and machinery, beverages and vehicles. Italy is Canada's 8th largest global merchandise trading partner, and 3rd most important trading partner in the European Union. At the end of 2016, Italy ranked as the 28th largest investor country of FDI stock in Canada. In terms of European countries, Italy ranked 15th. In October 2016, Canada and the European Union signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, a free-trade agreement between Canada and the European Union.
Resident diplomatic missions
Canada has an embassy in Rome and a consulate in Milan.
