February 24, 2020 — The Latvian National Federation in Canada Educational and Cultural Foundation is inviting you to join in this year’s fund raising drive so that the foundation can continue supporting Latvian educational and cultural activities here in Canada. In 2019 the Educational Cultural Foundation (ECF) of the Latvian National Federation in Canada (LNFC) distributed...
October 31, 2019 — Latvian movie in Toronto, infomation here
February 8, 2019 — Latvians worldwide commemorated and celebrated the Republic of Latvia’s 100th anniversary on November 18, 2018. The LNFC Educational and Cultural Foundation is inviting you continue joining in this celebration by participating in this year’s fundraising drive called “My gift to Latvia”. As we enter the next 100 years, we urge you to continue your support of the LNFC Educational...
January 1, 2019 — 2018 is a significant year in Latvian history this century: 100 years ago Latvia declared its independence in 1918; 30 years ago in Latvia, with the formation of the Latvian Popular Front began the Singing Revolution which culminated in the renewal independence on May 4, 1990. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Latvia, Canadian Latvian Archive and Museum (KLAM)...
September 17, 2018 — Russia's Challenge to North American and European Security Russia uses hybrid or asymmetric tactics – in particular disinformation and offensive cyber activities – to advance its goals in Eastern Europe and beyond. Russian websites have already tried to spread vicious rumours about NATO troops in the Baltics. Closer to home they have spread rumours about the family history of Canada’s...
November 16, 2017 — Best Wishes on 99 Year Celebration Latvian National Federation in Canada invites Latvians to participate in this important program November 18, 2017 at 5 pm Kursas Hall, Latvian Cultural Center, Toronto ProgramLatvian Ambassador Kārļa Eihenbauma celebration talkAwards, RecognitionMusical performance: Pianist Pēteris Zariņš, Soloists Anna Broka, Maria Thornburn Latvians united through LNFC
November 9, 2017 — The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy and is one of our most important relationships outside of North America. Canada is committed to continue playing a leading role in the Alliance. Reaffirming the Canadian Government’s unwavering commitment to NATO, Minister Sajjan met with Allies during the NATO Defence Minister’s Meeting (DMM) and a...
November 3, 2017 — The widow of Sergei Magnitsky and their son Nikita visit Ottawa to thank Canada for being the latest among four nations to pass Magnitsky-style legislation, formally, “Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act”. Related news items and articles: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/magnitskys…/article36794558/ http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/kolga-canada-has-passed-the-sergei-magnitsky-law-against-human-rights-abusers-now-lets-use-it http://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/headline-politics/episodes/54629266 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20626960 Andris Ķesteris, President LNAK, Baltic Federation and Central and Eastern European Council in Canada,...
October 30, 2017 — Saturday, November 11th at 2pm at Tartu College, the Baltic Canadian Imprints partnership will be hosting a symposium titled Sharing Our Stories: Born in Canada. Members from all four Baltic communities, Baltic German, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian, will be discussing the challenges and advantages of being first generation Canadian Balts. A panel of first generation representatives from each of the...
October 17, 2017 — OTTAWA- The Central and Eastern European Council (CEEC), representing the interests of over 4 million Canadians of Central and Eastern European heritage, applauds and congratulates the members of the House of Commons and Senate in passing Bill S226 unanimously. The Sergei Magnitsky Law will be an important human rights tool for the Canadian government, allowing it to freeze the Canadian...
September 14, 2017 — This year’s “Army Run” takes place on Sunday, 17 September in Ottawa and we have runners that will be happy for our presence, our cheering, and our moral support. We are pleased to announce that Latvians living in and around Ottawa including Embassy staff will be joined by a team of five soldiers from Latvia. Our runners have selected various...
September 11, 2017 — Let’s come together on Parliament Hill to mark the annual Balts Unity Day at 9.00 o’clock on the morning of Friday, the 22nd of September. We launched this tradition last year. The presence of all three Baltic States leaves a good impression of mutual support and solidarity. It will not take much time but it means a lot, and even more at a moment when...
September 6, 2017 — VEMU has been working to prepare an exhibit about architects in Toronto with Estonian backgrounds in collaboration with the Museum of Estonian Architecture in Tallinn since 2015. The exhibit will celebrate both Canada's 150th and Estonia's 100th birthdays. The exhibit will be on display in Tallinn at the Museum of Estonian Architecture in 2018. The Compatriots Program and MISA assisted...
September 6, 2017 — September 29, 2017, 7:00 pm at ROM Friday Night Live (#FNLROM: Fashion) and October 1, 2017, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm at Tartu College Celebrate Canada and Estonia's big birthdays in style with the Canadian premiere of the best of Estonian fashion and design, Northern Spirit. This exciting event is showcasing the most internationally recognized Estonian fashion and design...
August 23, 2017 — A NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBERANCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF SOVIET COMMUNISM AND NAZI TYRANNY IN EUROPE Black Ribbon Day, August 23, was formally adopted as a Canadian Day of National Remembrance for the Victims of Nazi and Communist Totalitarianism in Europe after a resolution introduced by Bob Rae was adopted unanimously by Canada’s Parliament in 2009. The annual event...
July 24, 2017 — The Latvian National Federation (LNAK) and Baltic Federation in Canada congratulate our dear friends on the occasion of Estonia taking on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union! The official launch and exhibition, “ I Am Estonian”, were truly impressive thanks to Ambassador Gita Kalmet and her fine team. Andris Ķesteris
July 24, 2017 — The Macdonald-Laurier Institute held a roundtable discussion featuring Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Raimonds Graube, Former Chief of Defence of Republic of Latvia from 2010-2017, in Ottawa on June 21, 2017. The Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s emerging Centre for Advancing Canada’s Interests Abroad, with the support of the Embassy of Latvia in Canada, hosted the event. The event brought together thought leaders on defence and...
July 6, 2017 — The first accreditation visit of a new Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché of Latvia, Lieutenant Colonel Agris Ozoliņš took place on the 6th of July 2017 at the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. Lieutenant Colonel Agris Ozoliņš becomes the first Latvian Defence Attaché to reside in Canada. It is noteworthy that his accreditation occurs at a time when...
June 29, 2017 — In attending the NATO Defence Ministers meeting, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan said “As a NATO enhanced Forward Presence Framework Nation, Canada has taken a leadership role within the Alliance. Through our new Defence Policy Strong, Secure, Engaged, we will continue to maintain our strong commitment to NATO as we work towards global peace, stability, and security. As a founding member...
June 29, 2017 — Meeting with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Ukrainian Community in Ottawa, Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan commented on the Government of Canada’s commitment to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. As a result of Russia’s aggression, Canada is also taking the lead in the multinational NATO deployment of forces to Latvia. Andris Ķesteris Photo: Historian Steven Kiersons meets Canada’s Minister of...
June 19, 2017 — Camp Ādaži, Latvia – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Canada is a leading member of NATO that has always deployed our troops and equipment when and where they are needed most. The Government of Canada is committed to taking concrete action so that Canadians – and people around the world – can feel safe and secure in their communities....
June 19, 2017 — Around the globe, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians and their friends gathered in remembrance of the victims of genocide during the Nazi and Soviet occupations of their homelands. In Canada, almost every family with Baltic roots has a story of suffering and loss. In the Baltic States, the deportations began in 1941 and were followed by ever greater round ups and ethnic...
June 13, 2017 —
April 18, 2017 — Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Canada is a leading member of NATO that has always deployed our troops and equipment when and where they are needed most. The Government of Canada is committed to taking concrete action so that Canadians – and people around the world – can feel safe and secure in their communities. Canada will...
April 7, 2017 — The Latvian Flag and the Latvian Diaspora Next year, on the 18th of November 2018, Latvia will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence and the founding of the State of Latvia. This was the culmination of a long and bitter struggle against the feudal Czarist regime. It resulted in a flowering of the country, economically and culturally....
January 28, 2017 — Our road to the future Latvians worldwide have been invited by the Republic of Latvia to start celebrating Latvia’s 100th anniversary culminating in November 18, 2018 by organizing events as a journey towards Latvia’s 100th anniversary. Our future is in the hands of every Canadian of Latvian heritage. Let us in the spirit of “Draudzīgais aicinājums” contribute today so that...
December 23, 2016 — Alexander Darchiev, the Russian ambassador in Ottawa, is making a tempting case that international terrorism is the all-important threat of our times. After all, what is more terrifying than global terror? In fact, conventional military invasions, by conventional militaries of conventional states are not a thing of the past. Western leaders now know that. And Russia is the reason why....
December 12, 2016 — The Editor – National Post Attn: Anne Marie Owens December 8, 2016 Reference: National Post, December 5, 2016 article “Thanks, but no thanks Canada: Not all Latvians convinced NATO mission is necessary”, by Dylan C. Robertson Dear Editor, It would be an understatement to say that numerous readers in the Latvian and Baltic Communities, some, as loyal readers of the...
September 23, 2016 — By Paul Läänemets Members from various cultural and religious communities gathered for the annual Black Ribbon Day event last Sunday evening. This year they experienced a new programme to bring everyone together and reflect on Nazi-Soviet crimes against humanity. The tradition of inviting a keynote speaker was out, replaced with the presentation of a relevant documentary film. A larger than...
September 22, 2016 — Thursday, 22nd of September at 9.00 o’clock on Parliament Hill in OTTAWA a short event on the annual Balts Unity Day; a symbolic show of solidarity and support. The presence of all three Baltic States means a lot indeed! Thanks to all for attending! Thanks to Julijus Rakitskis, Charge d’Affaires a.i. from Lithuanian Embassy in Ottawa! Thanks to all...
August 26, 2016 — 23 August 2016“. Today, we honour the victims and survivors of Communism and Nazism in Europe, and all those around the world who continue to endure and fight against the oppression of totalitarian regimes. “In the years that followed, millions of people were robbed of their homes and suffered untold atrocities at the hands of the Soviet and Nazi regimes.“Today, we...
August 24, 2016 — During a ceremony marking the transition from Rotation 5 to Rotation 6 today, Major Lonnie Campbell assumed command of the Operation REASSURANCE Land Task Force (LTF). The ceremony took place at the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area in Poland and was presided over by Colonel Pascal Demers, Canadian Defence Attaché to Poland. Major Félix St-Jean was the interim commander over the...
August 19, 2016 — An announcement by member organisations of the World Federation of Free Latvians (WFFL), on the anniversary of the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Seventy-seven years ago, the signing of a secret pact between two powerful countries sealed Europe’s fate and triggered the horrors of the Second World War, which subsequently claimed the lives of more than sixty million people. The...
August 18, 2016 — Baltic and Ukrainian friends supporting each other.
August 17, 2016 — On 17 August, the President of Latvia, Raimonds Vējonis, in an official ceremony at the Melngalvju nams (House of the Blackheads), presented letters of credence to Kārlis Eihenbaums, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the Canada. Kārlis Eihenbaums is currently Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Prior to that, from October...
August 17, 2016 — LNAK-KLAM (Canadian Latvian Archive and Museum) is working in close cooperation with the Latvian National Library in Riga, Latvia. Specialist, Linda Jegorova visits the Latvian Church and Centre in Ottawa.
July 29, 2016 — Latvian National Federation in Canada President Andris Ķesteris meets with Christopher Berzins, Director of Policy, Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Dion.
July 13, 2016 — Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has concluded a successful visit to Riga, Latvia. During his visit, Minister Dion met with Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, his counterpart, and with Minister of Defence Raimonds Bergmanis. The Minister also held meetings at NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence and met with the former President of...
May 20, 2016 — TORONTO - The Central and Eastern European Council in Canada, representing the interests of nearly 4 million Canadians of Central and Eastern European heritage, is deeply concerned with the recent remarks by Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs stating it is unnecessary to adopt Magnitksy legislation, that would ban Russian human rights abusers from entering and hiding their assets in Canada....
May 19, 2016 — Quilts of Latvia Festival As the central organization for Latvian Canadians, the Latvian National Federation in Canada thanks you for generously welcoming artists from Latvia on the occasion of the Ailsa Craig Community Quilt Festival. Quilting, as such, is just coming into prominence for those of us who are not that familiar with the art form. You are to...
May 18, 2016 — OTTAWA Today the Ukrainian Canadian community stands in solidarity with the Crimean Tatar People who mark the anniversary of the mass deportation from their ancestral homeland by the totalitarian regime of Joseph Stalin. The entire Crimean Tatar People, the indigenous people of Crimea, were exiled to the Soviet east in 1944. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children were...
May 13, 2016 — News Release Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Eleven Canadian Armed Forces clearance divers and support personnel began their participation in Operation OPEN SPIRIT 2016 on May 13 in Lithuania. These members of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) from Halifax, Nova Scotia, will work alongside personnel from the Lithuanian Naval Flotilla and 12 other partner nations until May 27,...
May 7, 2016 — Dear councillor Campbell, It has recently come to the attention of the Latvian National Federation in Canada that a pro-Soviet/Russian rally is planned for Earl Bales park this Sunday, May 8. This is an outrage, not only to those of Latvian heritage, or to all of those millions of Canadians with roots in countries that suffered under Soviet occupation and...
May 5, 2016 — TORONTO- Proxies of the Russian government in Toronto are planning a large scale pro-Soviet rally in Toronto’s Earl Bales Park for Sunday, May 8, 2016. The same group organized a rally in 2015, which featured hundreds of Soviet flags including the flags of Soviet occupied nations. We encourage all Estonians in Toronto to contact their city councillor and ask that...
May 5, 2016 — it has come to my attention that another large pro-Soviet rally is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 8, at Earl Bales Park. I understand that this event ostensibly is being held to mark the end of World War II, but last year a similar event also displayed deeply troubling aspects. I was shocked and astonished that any group...
May 5, 2016 — It has come to my attention, that a large rally is being planned for this Sunday, May 8/16 by pro-Soviet and Russian groups. The rally signifies support for forces of totalitarianism and oppression, the reacquisition, by force, of territories lost after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The rally signifies support for anti-democratic forces, for those espousing hate and intolerance....
May 5, 2016 — Dear Mr. Burnside: it has come to my attention that a large pro-Soviet rally is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 8, at Earl Bales Park. I am shocked and astonished that such a group is able to obtain a permit in the City of the Toronto. I write to ask you to act with urgency and cancel this...
April 18, 2016 —
February 19, 2016 — OTTAWA – The new commander of the Operation REASSURANCE Land Task Force, Major Éric Beauchamp, assumed command from Major Simon Côté today in Warsaw, Poland. Hosted by Canada’s Ambassador to Poland, Stephen de Boer, the ceremony at the Canadian embassy was presided over by Colonel Pascal Demers, Canadian Defence Attaché. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) presence in the region demonstrates...
February 5, 2016 — Sanita Ulmane, Solvita Rakitko, Anneliis Põldre, Andris Ķesteris, Triin Uibo, and friends from Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival! Estonian/Latvian photo – BNNF2016 Launch Party Photo: Embassy of Estonia
February 3, 2016 — Celebrating the Baltic University’s 70th Anniversary Last fall, the Estonian film festival in Toronto, EstDocs, screened the documentary The Story of the Baltic University (2015) by Helga Merits, the Estonian film producer currently living in the Netherlands. Based on the film, as well as the discussion following its premiere, the unfortunate truth was revealed. This extraordinary example of Baltic cooperation...
February 2, 2016 — Ottawa – Department of Canadian Heritage Canadians will have an opportunity to provide input on a new national memorial that will be located in downtown Ottawa. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced that Canadians are being invited to have their say about design guidelines for the Memorial to the Victims of Communism – Canada, a Land...
January 16, 2016 — Embassy of Latvia in collaboration with Ottawa Latvian Society invite to the screening of documentary film by Dzintra Geka GOD’S LOST SPARROWS! Sunday, January 17th Ottawa Latvian Peace Church, 83 Main Street Start time: ~12:15 pm (after the church service) Film speaks about the destinies of Latvian families who fled the Soviet regime at the end of the World War...
December 18, 2015 — Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, On behalf of the Latvian National Federation in Canada, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on forming a new government. Representing the interests of generations of Latvian-Canadians and their extended communities, we look forward to working productively with the Government of Canada, and its institutions, in proudly contributing to the development of...
November 23, 2015 — An Ottawa Film Festival Début Presented in partnership with the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, St. Paul University, Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, Embassy of Ukraine, The National Film Board of Canada, Ukrainian National Federation (UNF Ottawa-Gatineau), Latvian National Federation in Canada, and Baltic Federation in Canada. Andris Ķesteris Friday, November 27, 2015...
October 14, 2015 — For Immediate Release Toronto, Ontario - The Central and Eastern European Council in Canada, representing the interests of nearly 4 million Canadians of CEE heritage has released a federal election report card based on questionnaires, media releases and other publicly available material including party policy platforms. Each of the three major parties’ positions on Central and Eastern European issues are...
August 26, 2015 — For immediate release Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued this statement to mark the 24th anniversary of re-establishing diplomatic ties between Canada and the Baltic States: “Twenty-four years ago today, following their declarations of independence from the Soviet Union, Canada re-established diplomatic relations with the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. “Canada never recognized the Soviet Union’s occupation of...
July 19, 2015 — OTTAWA – Fifteen members of the Canadian Armed Forces are participating in Exercise SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15, a multinational exercise at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Yavoriv, Ukraine, from July 17 to 31, 2015. Exercise SABER GUARDIAN / RAPID TRIDENT 15 is designed to support allied and partner nations and focuses on improving stability and peace...
July 8, 2015 — HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA — Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton returned to its home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, today, after a successful seven-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea on Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO assurance measures which promotes security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in the face of continued aggression by the Putin regime. Quick...
June 26, 2015 — 26 June, 2015 – TORONTO. The Ukrainian Canadian community expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Canadian communities for their strong support of Ukraine as the people of Ukraine bravely defend themselves against Russia’s brutal invasion. At an event in Toronto at the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Lithuanian Church on June 14, the Latvian Relief...
June 25, 2015 — Concludes participation in NATO Defence Ministerial Meeting Brussels, Belgium - Department of National Defence Canada will contribute Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) units located in Estonia and Lithuania that will support NATO’s high-readiness forces, Defence Minister Jason Kenney announced today. Known as NATO Force Integration Units (NFIU), they will help ensure NATO’s high-readiness forces...
June 17, 2015 — OTTAWA – Approximately 35 Canadian Army soldiers are training with members of the Polish Army on Exercise LANCER STRIKE in Tomaszow Maz, Poland. The exercise is part of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO’s assurance measures which were established as a confidence-building response in the wake of the Putin regime’s continued aggression toward Ukraine. The soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The...
June 14, 2015 — As a result of the Hitler-Stalin Pact, the alliance between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, the Baltic States were invaded by Russian armed forces in 1940. During the first occupation, the Year of Terror, 1940 -1941, tens of thousands of all age groups, from elderly to infants were arrested, tortured, or murdered. Many of those, sent in cattle cars...
May 21, 2015 — Brussels, Belgium — General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, met with his North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) counterparts this week for a NATO Military Committee meeting in Brussels, Belgium. Discussions at the two day meeting focused on: The evolving global security environment and the associated implications for NATO; The way ahead for implementation of the Readiness Action Plan...
May 15, 2015 — OTTAWA – Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) clearance divers and support personnel are taking part in Operation OPEN SPIRIT 2015 starting today in Estonia alongside personnel from the Estonian Naval Flotilla (ENF) and 12 other partner nations. Operation OPEN SPIRIT is conducted to dispose of sea mines and other munitions remaining on the seabed from the First and Second World Wars....
May 6, 2015 — Latvian folk dancing and singing is part of this year’s Tulip Festival! Come see the show at the International Friendship Stage at Commissioner’s Park!(at Dow’s Lake) Sunday, May 10 at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm! See you there!
April 2, 2015 — TRZCLANIEC, POLAND —The 3rd Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) based in Petawawa, Ontario, is participating in Exercise MOUNTAIN WARRIOR in Trzclaniec,Poland, throughout the month of April.Approximately 35 soldiers from The 3 RCR are joining with our Polish NATO ally to further train and develop their mountaineering experience and skills. Exercise MOUNTAIN WARRIOR promotes interoperability, collective training and...
March 26, 2015 — GLEBOKIE, POLAND — Members of the Canadian Armed Forces participated in a special ceremony hosted by the Polish Army today in Glebokie, Poland, to welcome them to their home base. Since their arrival in May 2014, Canadian Armed Forces members have been involved in a number of partnership engagements with our European allies in collective training exercises in Poland, Germany, Lithuania...
January 30, 2015 — OTTAWA – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C. M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of National Defence, today met with Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas at Canada’s National Defence Headquarters. Joined by many senior Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Officials, the two Ministers addressed a number of common defence and security issues, including Russia’s ongoing aggression and interference in...
September 1, 2014 — The Latvian National Federation in Canada is presenting its annual celebration in honouring the 96th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and establishment of the Republic of Latvia. Sunday, November 16, 2014. Church Service at 11:00AM, at St.John’s Latvian Lutheran Church, 200 Balmoral Avenue. Church service is followed by presentations, keynote speaker and concert at 1:30PM. _______ As the central...