Canada Says It Has No Current Plans to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published March 26, 2026

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Canada has confirmed that it does not currently plan to reopen its embassy in Syria, underscoring Ottawa’s continued caution on the Syrian file despite recent moves to ease some restrictions and broaden diplomatic engagement. The confirmation followed testimony presented to the House of Commons foreign affairs committee on March 24, 2026 during discussions on Syria’s political transition.

Ottawa’s message is increasingly clear: deeper diplomatic contact does not mean a return of a full mission in Damascus. Global Affairs Canada briefing material shows that Canada welcomed the Syrian government’s acceptance of a Beirut-based non-resident ambassador, while also stating that any reopening of its mission in Syria would depend on several factors, including the security situation.

In practice, Canada will continue to handle the Syria file through Beirut, while consular assistance for Canadians inside Syria remains extremely limited. Ottawa also maintains that its embassy in Damascus has been suspended since 2012, and its travel advice for Syria remains at the highest warning level, advising against all travel. That position remains unchanged even after sanctions amendments announced on February 18, 2026, which eased some economic restrictions and removed 24 entities and one individual from Canada’s Syria sanctions list.