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.
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As the central organization for all Latvians across Canada, it represents its interests at city, provincial and federal levels, maintains contact with other Canadian NGO’s, and involves itself in projects both in Canada and Latvia. When non-
All of the regular activities of the federation are managed by an executive board consisting of eleven members. The members are elected annually by a general assembly. The assembly consists of forty elected members and up to an additional forty appointees.
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| NEWS RELEASE |
| Canadian soldiers depart for Operation REASSURANCE in Eastern and Central Europe |
| September 22, 2014 |
| Ottawa — Approximately 100 Canadian Army soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR) departed Trenton, Ontario, today for Eastern Europe as part of military activities undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces to support NATO Reassurance measures in the wake of the Putin regime’s aggression. |
The 3 RCR contingent, part of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Garrison Petawawa, will relieve another contingent of soldiers who are currently participating in Operation REASSURANCE and returning to Canada on September 24.
Quick Facts
- Canadian soldiers have been training with our NATO allies as part of Operation REASSURANCE since early May of 2014.
- Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by the CAF to support NATO Reassurance Measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks. The CAF’s response in support of NATO’s request promotes security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe, and demonstrates Canada ‘s steadfast commitment to our allies in the region.
- The Canadian Army has engaged on a number of training exercises with our NATO allies as part of Operation REASSURANCE, including: Exercise STEADFAST JAVELIN II, Exercise GNIEZNO, Exercise PEGASUS KORSARZ, Exercise SABRE STRIKE and Exercise ORZEL ALERT.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada remains firmly committed to building regional stability and security in Eastern Europe . Canada and its international allies continue to condemn the aggression of the Putin regime and its attempts to undermine the security and sovereignty of Ukraine .”
Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence
“When Canadian Army soldiers participate in multinational training exercises, it is an opportunity for them to enhance their warfighting skills and increase interoperability with our international partners. In addition, our soldiers have gathered a wealth of operational knowledge and experience from previous missions and Operation REASSURANCE is one platform where they can share their expertise with Canada ’s allies. Our soldiers are Strong, Proud and Ready for the call of duty at anytime and anywhere in the world.”
Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander Canadian Army
Associated Links
Exercise RAFALE BLANCHE News Release
Canada-US Defence Relationship
Exercise RAPID TRIDENT photo feature
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Contacts
Capt Carrie Pluck
Public Affairs Officer, 4th Canadian Division
Phone: 416-633-6200 ext 5501
Email: carrie.pluck@forces.gc.caMedia inquiriesMedia Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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| NEWS RELEASE |
| Canadian Armed Forces Members to Participate in International Exercise in Poland |
| September 9, 2014 |
| OTTAWA — Fifteen Canadian Army soldiers are participating in Exercise MAPLE ARCH 14, from September 8-18, 2014, in Lublin, Poland. Exercise MAPLE ARCH 14 fosters international military relations, interoperability among contributing nations and promotes security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe.Quick Facts |
- Under the leadership of a composite brigade made up of the Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian personnel, Exercise MAPLE ARCH 14 focuses on training a multinational infantry battalion headquarters, comprised primarily of the Polish 5th Podhale Riflemen Battalion with Ukrainian and Lithuanian staff officer augmentation.
- Canadian Armed Forces members have participated in Exercise MAPLE ARCH for the past fifteen years. This year, soldiers primarily from 5th Canadian Division in Halifax, Nova Scotia, bring their considerable expertise and experience to assist in a number of roles, including mentoring, exercise control, exercise direction, public affairs support and scenario development.
- Other participants in Exercise MAPLE ARCH 14 are drawn from the following units of their respective nations: Poland – Multinational Brigade, 21st Brigade Headquarters, 5th Podhale Riflemen Battalion, 32nd Garrison Support Unit, 34th Garrison Support Unit, and the Simulation Training Group; Lithuania – Great Duchess Birute Uhlan Battalion; Ukraine – 80th Airborne Brigade, 270th Mobile Simulation & Training Group.
- Exercise MAPLE ARCH 14 is co-hosted by the Department of National Defence and the Polish Land Forces.
Quotes
“Canada is committed to building capabilities and nurturing partnerships in Eastern Europe, particularly in the wake of the Putin regime’s aggressive military actions in the region. Our participation in Ex Maple Arch is an opportunity to help build and improve upon the capabilities required to further regional security in Eastern Europe.”
-Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence
“Participation in Exercise MAPLE ARCH provides Canadian Army soldiers with the opportunity to further demonstrate our leadership capacity and proficiency in multinational coalition training exercises which builds and strengthens relationships with our international military partners. In addition, Exercise MAPLE ARCH provides an environment to enhance our military readiness towards a multi-purpose, combat-capable force, able to operate seamlessly with allies and respond to a multitude of threats.”
-Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander of the Canadian Army
“Exercise MAPLE ARCH 14 is an excellent opportunity for all the nations involved. This is the third Exercise MAPLE ARCH that I have been involved with, and it is consistently a challenging and rewarding training experience for all participants.”
-Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Hale, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North) and Exercise MAPLE ARCH 14 Senior Planner.
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Associated Links
National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
The Directorate – Military Training & Cooperation (DMTC)
Other Relevant Links
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The Partnership for Peace programme
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Latvian National Federation in Canada (LNAK)
Communiqué – For Immediate Release April 6, 2014
The Latvian National Federation in Canada, the central organization for Canadians of Latvian origin, is alarmed to see a tragic repeat of history in Ukraine. Once again, we are witnessing brutal geopolitical tactics reminiscent of Nazi Germany, and its former ally Soviet Russia.
In Canada, young people of all ethnic backgrounds now see what their parents and grandparents had to endure over decades of war and occupation in Europe..
In a campaign of disinformation and total distortion of history, Ukrainian patriots are labelled extremists, fascists, terrorists and worse by an aggressive chauvinistic power. The Russian propaganda machine, designed to confuse the public, is working overtime.
The actions of the Russian government, a classic example of state terrorism, are illegal. The leadership must be held accountable for all criminal acts. The invasion of Ukraine is a matter for the International Criminal Court. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, just to mention a few, face continuous pressures and threats which undermine their social, political and economic fabric.
We appreciate the strong stand which has been taken by the Government of Canada. Freedom, security and human rights in Ukraine must be defended by all!
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The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
March 10, 2014
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
Regarding the tragic invasion and occupation of Ukraine by Russian forces, it seems that history is being repeated in Central and Eastern Europe. The similarity to the tactics used by Nazi Germany, in alliance with Soviet Russia, is very alarming to the nations of Europe.
Our Canadian youth, whose roots are tied to ethnic groups in Europe, are now seeing what their parents and grandparents had to endure over decades of war and occupation. The reality has now been brought home to them in a most forceful manner.
Just as in the Ukraine, many nations of Europe have suffered through similar scenarios which began with ultimata, followed by military occupation, and further followed by torture, murder, disappearances and brutal ethnic cleansing by Russian forces.
The propaganda machine is also functioning very efficiently with its campaign of disinformation designed to confuse the western public. How more absurd can it be, when the president of Russia denies the existence of his troops in Crimea? Ukrainian patriots are labelled extremists, fascists, terrorists and worse by an aggressive chauvinistic power. Even children are being attacked by Russian mobs.
We appreciate the strong stand which has been taken by the Government of Canada and see an opportunity for our country to be a world leader in helping resolve the issues in a peaceful way.
It is clear to everyone that the actions of the Russian government are illegal, and in fact criminal. The leadership must be held accountable. This has become not only a matter of negotiation, but certainly one for the International Criminal Court. We are witnessing a classic example of state terrorism
In good faith, the Ukrainian government gave up its nuclear arsenal in return for a guarantee of its borders and independence. Russia was a signatory to this guarantee and has now violated international law and totally betrayed its partners.
The other nations bordering Russia, such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, just to mention a few, are continously facing pressures and threats which undermine their social, political and economic fabric.
Appeasement of the rogue regime in Moscow is not acceptable. Looking back in history, whether to the time of the Hitler-Stalin Pact to divide up Europe, or more recent attacks such as in Georgia, Russia is once again testing the resolve of the West. Invading the Ukraine is simply another step in the attempt to renew geopolitical domination.
In actual fact, Russia has already initiated its war against NATO and the European Union.
We encourage the Government of Canada to continue its active vigilance in protecting sovereignty and human rights in the Ukraine and Central and Eastern Europe.
Yours sincerely,
Andris Ķesteris
Chair, Executive Board,
Latvian National Federation in Canada (LNAK)
President,
Baltic Federation in Canada
Member of the Board, Central and Eastern European Council of Canada
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