Canada and Ukraine have enjoyed a close bilateral relationship since Canada became the first Western nation to recognize Ukraine’s independence on December 2, 1991. Generations of Ukrainian migration to Canada have helped forge our historic friendship, and today, our country is home to more than 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent. Our strong partnership is reinforced by shared values and common interests. During their meeting at the Ukraine Reform Conference, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy witnessed the signing of two new agreements, which will lead to even closer ties between our two countries.

The Audiovisual Coproduction Treaty

The Audiovisual Cooperation Treaty will help promote Canadian content in Ukraine. Once ratified, the treaty will facilitate feature film, television and digital productions by creating a framework for the pooling of creative and financial resources of Canadian and Ukrainian audiovisual producers. It is expected to provide significant opportunities to expand audiences for Canadian productions; attract foreign investment; increase production budgets; tap into foreign markets; assist the realization of Canadian productions that would not otherwise be made; and promote both our cultures internationally. Canada has coproduction treaties with more than 50 partners.

The Joint Declaration on a Youth Mobility Arrangement

Canada and Ukraine’s Joint Declaration is a welcome step in advancing negotiations toward a revitalized Youth Mobility Arrangement that will support travel and work opportunities for Canadian and Ukrainian young people, while further strengthening people-to-people ties between our two countries. International work and travel offers young people unique opportunities for personal and professional development through exposure to new networks, cultures, and languages. International Experience Canada, a program within Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, manages Youth Mobility Arrangements with more than 30 partner countries and territories globally. Over the past decade, around 200,000 Canadians have taken advantage of the work and travel experiences to be gained through the International Experience Canada program, and many return to Canada with life-changing experiences valuable to both their personal and professional lives.

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