Canadian Ambassador: I enjoyed eating Jordanian mansaf and I intend to learn how to eat it with my hands. We support Al-Nashama, and we hope they get matches in Canada.

This is not the first time I have been in Jordan as Canada's Ambassador to Jordan... Ten years ago, I was here on an official visit, and I returned last October as ambassador.

I have visited several places in Jordan, many of them official visits, and I plan to visit more... What struck me is the wonderful hospitality and the warmth of the welcome.

I am excited to experience my first Ramadan outside Canada... We have cultural diversity there, and I am familiar with the rituals of the holy month, but I have not experienced them outside Canada, and I am looking forward to it.

Our main food exports to Jordan are lentils and chickpeas... Perhaps a bowl of soup or hummus at iftar comes from Canada. Canada exports to Jordan the equivalent of one kilogram of chickpeas per person annually from Canada.

There are 40 years of strong relations between Jordan and Canada, and there is a bright future for developing economic and trade relations between the two countries.

We share with Jordan, despite the differences, cultural diversity and a great human dimension for various components, especially refugees and immigrants.

• We pride ourselves on working with Jordan in various sectors, especially developmental, commercial, and economic ones, and encouraging greater participation of women in the Jordanian labor market through vocational training and education.

•  The most striking thing to me is that Jordanian women are strong and have clear plans and goals.

• This aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision, which enables all members of society to participate effectively, in line with His Majesty the King's initiatives.

• Canada is a strong supporter of Jordan's decision to host refugees, and provides direct budget support to enable the provision of education and health services, in addition to strengthening peace and security, and supporting its humanitarian role in Gaza.

• Canada has provided 400 million Canadian dollars in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and not the full amount has entered the sector yet.

• Canada recognized the State of Palestine in September last year, and it is one of the earliest supporters of the two-state solution. The rapid and secure delivery of humanitarian aid is essential now, with the need to open borders. Canada also acknowledges the major role that Jordan plays in assisting refugees and providing humanitarian support to Gaza.

• Canada supports strengthening civil society organizations and their essential role in development.

• For all Jordanians wishing to visit Canada to support Al-Nashama in the World Cup, there are clear pathways available through the embassy's website, even for work or study purposes, including temporary visas or work/study permits.

His Excellency the Canadian Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr. Louis-Martin Aumais, confirmed that his current visit to Jordan as ambassador is not his first, noting that he had visited the Kingdom about ten years ago on an official visit, and returned last October to assume the duties of the ambassador position.

During an exclusive interview with Radio Al-Balad 92.5 FM, conducted by the Director General of the Community Media Network, Etaf Al-Rudan, the ambassador praised Jordanian hospitality and the warmth of the reception he received, confirming that he has visited several places in the Kingdom, some of them official visits, and he plans to visit more in the coming period.

Jordanian Hospitality and the Ramadan Mansaf Experience

The Canadian Ambassador expressed his admiration for the excellent Jordanian hospitality, confirming his enjoyment of eating mansaf, with his intention to learn how to eat mansaf by hand for a more authentic experience. He also expressed his excitement for experiencing his first Ramadan outside Canada, noting his knowledge of the rituals of the holy month but that he had not practically experienced them outside Canada, looking forward to fully experiencing it in Jordan with iftar, dates, and soup.

Trade and Economy: Canadian Lentils and Chickpeas

The ambassador explained that among the most prominent Canadian exports to Jordan are food items, particularly lentils and chickpeas, estimating that the equivalent of one kilogram of chickpeas per person is exported annually. He added that a meal of soup or hummus at iftar might come from Canada, which is evidence of the strong economic ties between the two countries.

He pointed to a bright future for developing economic and trade relations between Canada and Jordan, emphasizing the importance of free trade agreements and investment protection in enhancing economic cooperation.

Support for Refugees and Humanitarian Aid

The ambassador affirmed that Canada is a strong supporter of Jordan's decision to host refugees, providing direct budget support to enable the Jordanian government to provide education and health services, in addition to supporting international agencies such as UNRWA.

He also noted Canada's contribution of 400 million Canadian dollars in humanitarian aid to Gaza since 2023, clarifying that the full amount has not yet reached the sector, stressing the importance of accelerating aid delivery and opening borders safely to ensure it reaches beneficiaries.

Empowering Women and Youth in Jordan

The ambassador highlighted the importance of women's participation in the Jordanian labor market through vocational training and education, affirming that Jordanian women are strong and have clear plans and goals. He explained that Canadian government support includes initiatives such as subsidized childcare to facilitate women's integration into the labor market, in line with His Majesty the King's vision for empowering youth and women.

Support for the Palestinian Cause and the Two-State Solution

The ambassador referred to Canada's recognition of the State of Palestine since September last year, and its firm support for the two-state solution, emphasizing the need for rapid and secure delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and praising Jordan's major role in providing humanitarian support to Palestinian refugees.

Strengthening Civil Society Organizations and Cultural Partnership

The ambassador affirmed that Canada works to enhance the role of civil society organizations in Jordan, pointing to programs supporting education, health, and women's empowerment in various fields, including agriculture and livestock raising, explaining that civil society is not limited to human rights only, but includes local and economic development.

He also stressed the similarities between Jordan and Canada in terms of cultural diversity and harmony among immigrant communities, noting that both countries have benefited from the diversity of their populations to build a cohesive and cooperative society.

Opportunities to Enter Canada

The ambassador confirmed the availability of multiple entry pathways for Jordanians wishing to visit Canada or work or study, pointing out that all information and procedures are available through the embassy's website, including temporary visas or work and study permits.