Canada is a parliamentary democracy situated in North America. Its population is currently 35 million, and it recognizes both English and French as its national languages. Canada’s economy is one of the top twenty in the world and is supported by large exports of natural gas and oil; Canada is the world’s fifth-largest oil producer. It maintains strong ties with Britain and the Commonwealth, and has a strong cultural, diplomatic, and economic relationship with Europe.

As one of the 35 original signatory states to the Helsinki Final Act in 1975 and a prominent participant in OSCE negotiations, Canada has been actively involved in the OSCE’s activities for the past 40 years. Canada’s continued participation in the OSCE’s programs and field operations is manifested today in Canada’s Delegation to the OSCE in Vienna, Austria. This includes a political-military section, an economic and environment section and a human rights section. Furthermore, Canada’s Parliament and Senate both retain strong connections with the OSCE and actively engage in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Canada’s relationship with the OSCE and its principles harmonize with its own foreign policy principles of supporting human rights, democratization, the rule of law, good governance, sustainable development, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.