Canada–Latvia relations
Encyclopedia
Canada–Latvia relations are foreign relations between Canada
and Latvia
. Canada re-recognized Latva’s independence on August 26, 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on September 3, 1991. Canada has an embassy in Riga
. Latvia has an embassy in Ottawa
and three honorary consulates in Montreal
, Victoria
and Toronto
.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
and of NATO.
The presence of a significant and active Latvian-Canadian community (estimated at 22,600) also underpins the bilateral relationship.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. Canada re-recognized Latva’s independence on August 26, 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on September 3, 1991. Canada has an embassy in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
. Latvia has an embassy in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and three honorary consulates in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
and of NATO.
History
Canada never recognized the Soviet occupation of the Baltic States and was the first country of the G-7 to recognize Latvia's independence. In 2004, Canada was the first country to ratify Latvia's accession in NATO.The presence of a significant and active Latvian-Canadian community (estimated at 22,600) also underpins the bilateral relationship.