Canada extradition treaties allow handing over criminals to other nations. It also enables Canada to hand over fugitives to the International Criminal Court.
So, who does Canada have extradition treaties with? There are as many as 30 countries that signed extradition treaties with Canada.
This article will provide an overview of the extradition treaty of Canada. We will also see a list of countries having extradition treaties with Canada at the end.
What Is Meant by Extradition Treaties?
Extradition treaties are contracts signed between several countries. The treaty allows countries to hand over fugitives to another jurisdiction. The two jurisdictions cooperate, and they make necessary arrangements to transfer criminals physically.
Extradition is a great way to bring criminals to justice. A convicted fugitive may flee the country of crime and hide in Canada. The Canadian government will then receive a request to hand over the criminal. The Canadian law enforcers will conduct missions to catch the fugitive. If they can catch the criminal in the requested state, Canada will extradite to the other jurisdiction.
Treaties between two countries help to regulate this extradition. A treaty is an agreement between two nations. Some nation’s laws may not allow an extradition treaty to take place. So, it is generally known as Renditions in those countries.
Some Common Extradition Crimes
A person committing a serious offence is generally called for extradition. Any common civil crime is not a part of extradition. Several crimes can fall under extradition, and this can include traffic violations or any misdemeanour.
The treaties between the two countries also determine the extradition crimes. Some countries will define their own extradition crimes in the treaty. Other countries will only accept extradition if both countries define the crime as punishable.
But some serious felony acts are always common in extradition treaties, including murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, rape, arson, and others. International kidnapping is also a common form of extradition crime.
Who Does Canada Have Extradition Treaties with?
Canada has extradition treaties with many countries. The agreement enables Canada to hand over criminals to each of the nations. The list is as follows:
- Albania
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Czechoslovakia
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Israel
- Italy
- Korea
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Norway
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- The USA
- Uruguay
3 Phases of Extradition
The complete extradition can involve 3 phases. These are as follows:
Authority to proceed
The first task is to arrest the criminal. After that, the criminal will stand before the court. The judge and lawyers will question the criminal there. The criminal will also get a chance for bail. In the meantime, the extradition partner country should make a formal request. The Department of Justice Canada will review the extradition treaty with the country. Further actions will take place after another hearing.
The Judicial stage
The hearing will take place in front of the Superior Court judge. The judge will give a decision. The judge will further review the extradition papers. If everything satisfies the motion, the judge will order the extradition.
The Ministerial phase
The Minister of Justice will make the final call for extradition. The minister should consider the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to make the decision. The one factor that can play a huge role is the injustice against the convicted. If the minister agrees to extradition, the criminal can be handed over within 45 days.
Countries that Will Not Extradite to Canada
The extradition treaties mostly work both ways. This means that Canada can also request extradition from another country.
But some countries will not extradite criminals to Canada. These countries are- Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, and Austria.
But there is a catch. These countries will not extradite their citizens to Canada. But they will extradite foreign immigrants with criminal acts to Canada.
Yet, Canada has no such agreements with another jurisdiction. The country is also willing to extradite its own citizens to another extradition partner.
Conclusion
So, who does Canada have extradition treaties with? There are as many as 30 countries in the treaty.
The extradition partnership allows Canada to bring criminals to justice. The country wants to work relentlessly to ensure law and order.
It is still best to hire an extradition lawyer if you face such a situation.
