Carney announces three-year renewal of Canadian military operation in Latvia

Prime Minister Mark Carney wrapped his trip across Eastern Europe with a stop in Latvia on Tuesday, announcing that the Canadian military will remain in the country for three more years in an effort to deter Russian aggression in the region.

In a meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Carney promised to continue with Canada’s military presence in the region for at least another three years.

“Canada will extend Operation Reassurance, our leadership of that — our commitment here on the ground will extend for three more years,” says Carney.

A federal government website shows around 2,000 troops are currently deployed in Latvia under Operation Reassurance — which strengthens Eastern Europe’s defence and deters Russia from invading Baltic countries.

It’s Canada’s biggest overseas military mission.

Troops have been in Latvia since 2017, and the mission was scheduled to end in March next year. It will now be extended until at least 2029.

This also comes as Carney looks to dramatically increase Canada’s military spending, to meet NATO’s two percent of GDP spending target by the end of next year.

“We will in the process increase the brigade’s capabilities here in Latvia, reinforce our collective defence, strengthen our cooperative security and keep the NATO presence strong,” says Carney.

Before heading to Latvia, Carney made a stop in Germany on Tuesday morning, looking to boost trade and defence ties with Europe’s largest economy.

“One of the big vulnerabilities that’s been exposed by the Ukraine war, was exposed by Covid, it’s been exposed by the changing global trade dynamics — are vulnerabilities in supply chains, including in critical minerals and metals,” says Carney.

Canada is signing a critical minerals deal with Germany to support joint public financing of resource projects. Carney says Canadian minerals like nickel and cobalt have long been underdeveloped, while China and Russia dominate the global market.

“Germany has been amongst the leaders in beginning that diversification away from China, particularly China, and Russia. Canada can play a role in accelerating that diversification,” says Carney.

Latvia is Carney’s final stop on a European tour this week that started with a surprise visit to Kyiv and a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Throughout the trip Carney reiterated Canada’s support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, and looked to boost European trade and defence relationships for Canada as the trade war continues with the U.S.

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