RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Canada is exploring ways it can contribute to ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said this week, as international concerns mount over potential disruptions to global energy supplies. The discussions took place during a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where Anand met with senior officials to discuss trade, regional stability, and Canada’s potential role in a multinational effort to secure the vital waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, is a critical chokepoint for roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Recent tensions in the region, including retaliatory missile strikes between Iran and Saudi Arabia, have raised fears of potential disruptions, prompting a growing international effort to safeguard maritime traffic.
“Once there is a ceasefire, Canada will be able to participate in the function that lies ahead to maintain stability regionally, to ensure that the global economic shocks are able to be addressed, certainly in terms of the stability of waterways,” Anand said in an interview. She emphasized that any Canadian involvement would be contingent on a cessation of hostilities.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Cernay-la-Ville near Paris, France, on March 27.Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters
Exploring Canada’s Potential Contributions
Defence Minister Bill Blair indicated Canada is considering a range of options for contributing to the security of the Strait of Hormuz, even in peacetime. “There are options on the table, vessels, de-mining expertise, intelligence, cyber capacities,” Blair said in a statement. He added that the government is carefully assessing how Canada’s capabilities can best be utilized.
Anand’s visit came shortly after a March 19 statement signed by over 30 countries expressing support for a potential coalition to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait, with the understanding that assistance would only be provided following a ceasefire. The initiative is largely seen as a response to escalating tensions with Iran and concerns over potential interference with shipping lanes.
During her visit, Anand met with Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as with the Ministers of Economy and Planning, Transport, and Energy. She likewise held discussions with Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Renewed Diplomatic Engagement with Saudi Arabia
The visit signals a warming of relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia, which were strained for nearly five years following a diplomatic dispute in 2018. The rift began when Canada called for the release of imprisoned Saudi activists, prompting Riyadh to expel Canada’s ambassador and freeze novel trade and investment. Relations began to thaw in 2023 with the appointment of a new Canadian ambassador.
In a joint statement, Anand and Prince Faisal announced progress in negotiations toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). Such an agreement would provide legal protections for Canadian investors in Saudi Arabia and vice versa, potentially stimulating two-way trade and investment. The ministers also discussed opportunities to expand Canadian exports to the kingdom in key sectors like defence, energy, and artificial intelligence, as well as increasing the number of Saudi students pursuing education in Canada.
Anand has been invited to attend an upcoming in-person meeting of foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council, a further indication of Canada’s growing engagement with the region.
Condemnation of Iranian Actions and Regional Security
Both Anand and Prince Faisal strongly condemned what they described as “destabilizing Iranian behavior” in the region, specifically citing recent attacks against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. They called on Iran to “immediately cease its attacks and to respect international law,” and to halt its support for regional militias. The statement reflects a shared concern over Iran’s regional influence and its potential to further destabilize the already volatile Middle East.
The timing of Anand’s visit is particularly significant, coming just days after Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes against Saudi Arabia. These strikes, and the broader context of escalating tensions, underscore the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to prevent further escalation and ensure the continued flow of vital energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Looking Ahead
While no firm commitments have been made regarding Canadian military involvement, the discussions in Riyadh represent a significant step toward exploring potential contributions to regional security. The next key development will likely be the establishment of a ceasefire in the region, which would pave the way for a more concrete discussion of Canada’s role in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Canada will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with its international partners to promote stability and protect vital shipping lanes.
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