First ever Canada - Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group established at the Parliament of Canada

On May 21^st 2024, first ever Canada – Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group was established in Ottawa. The group will be co-chaired by Senator Rebecca Patterson and member of the House of Commons Francesco Sorbara.

Almost 20 Senators and Members of Parliament have joined the group, including: John McKay, member of the House of Commons and Chair of the Standing Committee of National Defence, James Bezan, member of the House of Commons and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee of National Defence, Robert Oliphant, member of the House of Commons and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marie-France Lalonde, member of the House of Commons and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, Stephane Bergeron, member of the House of Commons and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, Senator David Wells, Senator Judy White and others.

The establishment of this group is yet another testimony of close bilateral relations and extended political dialogue between Latvia and Canada. Defence and security are at the top of our bilateral relations and it is expected that the group will focus on deepening dialogue in this area in particular. The group is also looking forward to getting engaged with Latvia - Canada Friendship Group, established at the Parliament of Latvia on 15 December 2022, and chaired by member of parliament, Irma Kalniņa.