Canada-Latvia relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Latvia share a close relationship grounded in shared fundamental values, such as support for democracy, human rights and the rules-based international order. Canada collaborates closely with Latvia, bilaterally and also through its strategic partnership with the European Union (EU), of which Latvia is a Member State, in areas including trade, climate change, security and innovation.
As NATO allies, Canada and Latvia collaborate extensively to support Euro-Atlantic security, particularly on NATO’s eastern flank to deter and defend against Russian aggression. Both countries actively provide support to Ukraine.
Canada never recognized the Soviet annexation of the Baltic States and was the first G7 country to recognize the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991.
Canada is represented in Latvia by an Embassy in Riga. Latvia is represented in Canada by an Embassy in Ottawa. Latvia also has Honorary Consulates in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.
Trade relations
In February 2017, Latvia became the first EU Member State to ratify the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement.
In 2024, Canada’s exports to Latvia were $207.1 million, and imports from Latvia were $85.7 million. Two-way merchandise trade has grown by 16.7% since pre-CETA levels in 2016.
The stock of Canadian direct investment in Latvia was valued at $3.0 million at the end of 2024.
Data on the value of the stock of Latvian direct investments in Canada is not available for 2024.
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Defence cooperation
Latvia is home to Canada's largest overseas military deployment. Canada leads the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE. Approximately 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are currently deployed in Latvia in support of the Operation. In July 2023, Canada announced $2.6 billion in funding, starting in 2023-24, to renew and expand Operation REASSURANCE for three years, with up to 2,200 troops persistently deployed by 2026.
In November 2024, the CAF, working closely with their Latvian hosts and NATO allies, led Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 2024. It marked the first major field training exercise for Multinational Brigade Latvia, and was the first Canadian-led brigade field exercise in Europe in over 30 years.
Canada was the first country to ratify Latvia's accession to NATO in 2004. In addition, Canada contributes to the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence located in Riga.
Canadian Armed Forces personnel also train and exercise side-by-side with their Latvian counterparts, and participate in NATO Force Integration Units in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Latvia work closely in forums, such as:
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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