Canada–CARICOM Summit Immunities Order

Summary#

The Canada‑CARICOM Summit 2023 Privileges and Immunities Order gives temporary legal status and limited diplomatic protections to CARICOM and people attending the Canada‑CARICOM summit in Ottawa. It was made under the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act and covers the period October 14 to 22, 2023, with the summit itself on October 17–19, 2023.

What it does#

• Gives CARICOM the legal capacity of a corporation during the period October 14–22, 2023.
• Grants, as needed for the summit, the privileges and immunities set out in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations to CARICOM and certain participants.
• Specific categories and typical protections provided:
  • Representatives of foreign states attending as official delegates receive immunities such as:
    • immunity from legal process for words or acts in their official capacity;
    • immunity from personal arrest or detention and from seizure of personal baggage;
    • inviolability of papers and documents;
    • exemption from immigration restrictions (see below).
  • Senior officials of CARICOM get privileges and immunities comparable to those of diplomatic agents under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, except for duty and tax relief.
  • Other officials of CARICOM and invited officials from other international organizations get limited immunities for official acts and immigration exemptions.
  • Experts invited for the summit get the immunities described in Article VI of the UN Convention.
• The protections are limited to what is necessary for carrying out summit functions and extend three days before and after the summit dates.
• The Order took effect on registration (registered September 26, 2023).

Who's affected#

• Delegates and official representatives from CARICOM member states attending the summit.
• Senior officials and other staff of CARICOM who are attending in an official capacity.
• Officials of other international organizations and experts invited by Canada to the summit.
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian border/immigration authorities will be involved in implementing security and admission rules as described.
• Canadian businesses and the general public are not directly affected by costs or tax/duty changes under this Order.

Why it matters#

• The Order makes it easier for CARICOM members and invited officials to participate in the Ottawa summit by giving them short‑term legal protections and easing some travel/admission barriers.
• It does not replace visa requirements where they apply, but it can help admit people who might otherwise be inadmissible.
• The immunities are narrow, time‑limited, and tied to official summit duties; they do not provide tax or customs relief for participants.
• This is a routine tool used by Canada to facilitate international meetings and to protect the functioning of diplomatic and intergovernmental events.