Five international organizations: Comm G8 NAFTA NATO OECD 

Canada's most important relationship is with the US. Though relations are on the whole good, there are tensions. Notably, Canada has protested over US duties on its softwood timber. At a more basic level Canadians are wary of the encroachment of US culture and of its concurrent social ills. Canada opposes the US sanctions imposed on Cuba and protests over its environmental lapses: there are concerns over the transportation of Alaskan oil and US resistance to international treaties (the US refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol, signed by Canada in 2002). Canada has backed the US-led "war on terrorism," but refused to support the 2003 attack on Iraq.

In the forefront on debt relief for the poorest countries, Canada has also led the world campaign against antipersonnel mines.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004