Prime Minister Carney wraps up European tour

Prime Minister Mark Carney today wrapped up his four-day European tour by meeting with Canadian Forces soldiers at the Adazi military camp in Latvia. The base houses about 2,000 Canadian soldiers, who lead the NATO mission there under Operation Reinsurance. The troops were deployed to deter any potential Russian aggression in the region.

The prime minister also announced a day earlier that Canada would extend its mission in Latvia for another three years, meaning Canadian Forces soldiers would not be withdrawn in 2026, but would remain in Latvia until 2029. Canada's involvement in the mission began in 2014 as a response to Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister said that today the battle group has evolved into a major multinational brigade, with Canada leading more than 3,500 troops from 14 NATO countries to defend the eastern part of Europe.

Carney told Canadian soldiers at a Latvian military base that Operation Reinsurance has become even more important due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.