14 June 1941 victims of deportations from the Baltic States remembered in Ottawa

On 14 June, a solemn commemorative event took place in Ottawa in memory of 14 June 1941 mass deportations from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Victims of the communism ideology and regime, tens of thousands were taken from the Baltic countries by cattle trains to Siberia.

Ambassador of Latvia Mr.  Kaspars Ozoliņš addressed the participants alongside Ambassador of Estonia Mr. Margus Rava, Ambassador of Lithuania Mr. Egidijus Meilūnas,  the representatives of the Baltic Communities and Chair of the “Tribute to Liberty” Mr. Ludwik Klimkowski. The Latvian community in Canada was represented by Rev. Dr. Fritz Traugott Kristbergs, President, Executive Committee, Latvian National Federation in Canada. Pastor Indra Skuja-Grīsle of  Ottawa Peace Latvian Lutheran Church delivered the prayer.

The national Memorial to the Victims of Communism – Canada, a Land of Refuge was unveiled in 2024. The Memorial was built by the Government of Canada and donors.  The Government of Latvia, Latvians and diaspora organizations in Canada also contributed.

The event was organized by the Embassies of the Baltic States in Canada with the support of the diaspora organizations.