On Tuesday 2nd February, 2010 His Excellency Winston Thompson, Fiji’s Ambassador to the United States and Mrs Queenie Thompson presented their credentials as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Canada to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. Mr Thompson succeeds Fiji’s last High Commissioner to Canada Mr Jesoni Vitusagavulu.

Relations between Fiji and Canada can be traced back just after Fiji’s cession to the United Kingdom when the then Fiji Colonial Government and the Canadian Government co-operated to build a telegraphic cable across the Pacific linking Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. There are currently over 20,000 Fiji nationals residing in Canada.

The Balance of Trade between Fiji and Canada has largely been in Fiji’s favor with Fiji’s exports to Canada in 2008 totaling $7.5m and imports from Canada totaling $4m. Fiji’s number one export to Canada is Fiji Water. Fiji Water is Canada’s fourth most popular mineral water. 

In 2008 10,752 Canadian tourists visited Fiji. The High Commission believes Canada offers a lot of potential for Fiji in terms of exports and tourism and this appointment provides the High Commission with the platform to expand Fiji’s interest in Canada.

Photo credit: MCpl Jean-François Néron, Rideau Hall

© 2010 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General of Canada