A contemporary history of cordial relations between Canada and Hungary

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Canada and Hungary have enjoyed an enduring relationship over time, and state leaders continue to strengthen ties across multiple frontiers. Other than diplomatic, commercial, and political relations, the two friendly states have deep cultural bonds. In the most recent census report, the Canadian population that can trace its ancestry to Hungary has grown to 348,085, making the minority group 24th largest among the 250 Canadian ethnic groups. From Hungary’s side, Canada is among the top five states with the largest Hungarian diaspora.

Canadians living in Hungary also tell a similar story of cordial relationships and finding acceptance in a foreign land. Factors motivating migration of the population between the two regions have changed over the years. In the modern-day, it is all about seeking better opportunities to improve one’s quality of life. Well, opportunities take different dimensions in our current day and age. The important thing is that whether one is Canadian or Hungarian, the friendly environment between the two factions presents an equal chance to everyone. What’s even more reassuring is that such opportunities seem to incline towards digital spaces with the current wave of modernization. Presently, even the millennial generation of vibrant Canadians and Hungarians, who often find it hard to penetrate the competitive job market, can easily cultivate a successful online career with in favor recreational activities like professional online gaming. This is the convenience offered by digital technology complemented by a friendly e-commerce environment promoted in the two regions. It’s a bright new world of opportunities, and as we enter a new decade, the Canada-Hungary relations can only get better with time. So, what set in motion the current diplomatic goodwill between the two countries?

A Welcoming Home Away from Home

Canada and Hungary marked 50 years of successful diplomatic ties in 2014. The current international system is less anarchic than it used to be a few decades ago. With the newly found stability, more actors in the system, even previous adversaries, are continually becoming interdependent. Under globalization, an international citizenry is coming forth. At an earlier period, Hungary was a volatile state, more so after the second world war when the Hungarian revolution of 1956 began. The revolution was geared against communism, and the violence that ensued turned a significant portion of the Hungarian population into refugees.

In the heat of the crisis and amid the unresponsiveness expressed towards refugees by many European states, an unlikely ally surfaced coming to the aid of Hungarian refugees. Over 100,000 immigrants were ushered to Canada. The Canadian government was proactive in facilitating the population influx to their territories and actively encouraged refugees to settle in Canada. To illustrate their commitment to the noble course, the Canadian minister of immigration, Alastair Gillespie, personally traveled to Austria. This is where many escapees had sojourned, and his sole objective was to create a direct channel for immigration to Canada. According to the 2016 census reports, the modern generations of Hungarian Canadians are well settled in thriving communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island. Canada’s cultural diversity makes it easier for immigrants to settle in and find ways to make a livelihood.

Cementing Canada-Hungary Ties

Over the years, the two nations have worked to solidify their ties with high-level state visits from both governments as well as setting up embassies in Budapest and Ottawa and a consulate in Toronto. Canadian dignitaries have made state visits to Hungary starting from 1993 by Governor Ray, in 2004 by Prime Minister Paul, and in 2008 by Governor-General Jean. The Hungarian government reciprocated with high-level visits by President Árpád Göncz in 1991, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in 1999, and most recently in 2007 by President László Sólyom.

The two have come to favorable bilateral agreements, such as the 1991 Enhancement and Protection of Foreign Investments agreement, the 1992 Elimination of Double Taxation, the 1995 Criminal Legal Aid Treaty, and the 1998 Agreement on Aviation. The two also established direct flights from Toronto to Budapest, making it easy for their citizens to travel. Another notable achievement is the growing trade volume, which was recorded at $871 million in 2018. Canada sells a surplus of motor vehicles, electrical machinery, plastics, and medical paraphernalia, where else Hungary exports medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, machinery, and cars to Canada. The Hungarian business landscape has been friendly to Canadian firms, which in return, has created thousands of job positions for the Hungarian population. In Canada, the Hungarian culture is openly celebrated, and most Canadian Hungarians are still strongly embedded in their heritage. The Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto is an excellent illustration of this. Other independent institutions also organize annual interactive cultural events for immigrants who trace a common Hungarian ancestry.

We cannot wait to see the direction that this relationship takes in the future and the new opportunities to the esteemed citizenry.