Defence Minister McGuinty concludes productive visit to Europe
National Defence
News release
June 27, 2025 - Riga, Latvia - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Yesterday, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, concluded a successful visit to Latvia, where he met with Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds, participated in a flower laying ceremony, and attended the first Transfer of Command Authority ceremony of the Canada-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Multinational Brigade in Latvia (MNB-LVA) since its establishment last year.
During his meeting in Riga, Minister McGuinty reaffirmed Canada's unwavering commitment to NATO's deterrence and defence posture through the MNB-LVA. The Ministers discussed concrete opportunities to deepen defence cooperation following Canada's June 9 defence investment announcement and underscored the importance of closer collaboration through initiatives such as Readiness 2030 (formerly ReArm Europe).
Minister McGuinty also attended the MNB-LVA Transfer of Command Authority ceremony at Ādaži Military Base, which saw Colonel Kris Reeves assume command of the 14-nation Brigade from Colonel Cédric Aspirault. The Minister was joined by Minister Sprūds, Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, and Major General Jette Albinus, Commander of Multinational Division North, among other distinguished guests. Minister McGuinty also took the opportunity to thank Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members deployed in Latvia for their dedication and service.
This historic transition marks a milestone in Canada's contribution to NATO's largest reinforcement to collective defence in a generation. Canada's contributions to the Brigade support Operation REASSURANCE, the CAF's largest overseas mission, which plays a critical role in NATO's deterrence and defence posture in Central and Eastern Europe.
Prior to his visit to Latvia, Minister McGuinty joined Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand at the Canada-European Union (EU) and NATO Summits, where they reaffirmed Canada's commitment to European defence and reinforced Canada's support for Ukraine.
At the Canada-EU Summit, Ministers McGuinty and Anand signed the Canada-EU Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), strengthening Canada-EU ties and enhancing security cooperation. The SDP provides a framework for dialogue and co-operation in security and defence priorities. For Canada and the EU Member States who are also NATO Allies, this will help deliver on capability targets more quickly and economically. This new partnership is the first step toward Canada's participation in Security Action for Europe (SAFE), an instrument under Readiness 2030, which will create significant defence procurement and industrial opportunities for Canada.
On the margins of the Canada-EU Summit, Minister McGuinty met with Belgian Minister of Defence Theo Franken as well as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas. Together, they highlighted the importance of transatlantic security and welcomed the signature of the Canada-EU SDP.
At the NATO Leaders' Summit on June 24-25, in The Hague, Prime Minister Carney and Minister McGuinty reaffirmed Canada's strong commitment to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security. Alongside their counterparts, they endorsed a new Defence Investment Pledge—outlined in the Leaders' Declaration—committing Allies to invest five percent of GDP in defence by 2035, including at least 3.5 percent for core military spending and 1.5% for defence-related expenditures.
Minister McGuinty also held several bilateral meetings with key Allies to advance defence cooperation. On June 24, he signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for Canada to join a NATO project regarding cooperation on establishing a multinational capacity for stockpiling of defence critical raw materials. This project will help showcase Canada's advantage in critical minerals, while supporting Canadian defence industries and improving supply chain security across the Alliance.
Minister McGuinty also joined Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik in signing a LOI welcoming Denmark to the Maritime Security Partnership (MSP). It was established between Canada, Germany, and Norway on the margins of last year's NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. This expanded cooperation builds on the MSP's core pillars—innovation, materiel cooperation, industry resilience, and joint training—and strengthens maritime security in the North Atlantic.
Quotes
"Canada remains fully committed to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security. This visit reinforced strategic defence relationships with Latvia and the European Union, and provided an opportunity to engage directly with Canadian Armed Forces members deployed under Operation REASSURANCE. As the Alliance adopts a new investment pledge, Canada is focused on delivering the capabilities needed to meet today's threats—from strengthening our forces in Europe to modernizing our Arctic defences and building the defence industrial base required to sustain long-term readiness amid growing global challenges."."
- The Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
"This Brigade stands as a testament to the strength of our Alliance and our unwavering commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Eastern Flank. It has been an honour to lead this exceptional team of Allied soldiers, and I am confident that under new leadership the Brigade will continue to uphold the highest standards of readiness and unity."
- Colonel Cédric Aspirault, outgoing Commander MNB-LVA
"It is a profound honour to assume command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s Multinational Brigade Latvia. As we look ahead to rigorous training and the introduction of new capabilities, we are committed to unify the contributions of Allies and further enhance the combat readiness and forward posture of this formation, reinforcing NATO's credible deterrence and collective defence along our Eastern Flank."
- Colonel Kris Reeves, incoming Commander MNB-LVA
"Task Force Latvia is proudly contributing to the success of Multinational Brigade in Latvia (MNB-LVA). We have been working with 13 other nations including our host nation Latvia, to ensure MNB-LVA has the equipment, everyday life support and infrastructure required to operate as a cohesive fighting formation able to live, move and fight. Canada's contributions are integral to the defence and deterrence of Latvia and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's eastern flank."
- Colonel Jim Smith, Commander Task Force Latvia
Quick facts
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NATO is a cornerstone of Canada's international security policy. Canada steadfastly supports NATO's principle of collective defence and is providing direct support to NATO missions and operations to this end.
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Current Canadian contributions to NATO include:
- leading the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia;
- deploying ships on a persistent, rotational basis to NATO's Standing Naval Forces; and
- contributing personnel, including to key leadership positions, to NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, the NATO command that coordinates the provision of military equipment and training to Ukraine.
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The NATO MNB-LVA was established as part of the Joint Roadmap signed between Canada and Latvia in June 2023.
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Colonel Reeves assumes command of the NATO MNB-LVA for one year and will lead it through several major exercises and milestones, including Exercise (Ex) OAK RESOLVE in August 2025, Ex RESOLUTE GUARDIAN in October 2025, and Ex RESOLUTE WARRIOR in November 2025.
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The Canada-led NATO MNB-LVA includes 14 contributing nations: Canada, Albania, Czechia, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
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Canada enjoys excellent relations with Latvia. It was the first G7 country to recognize the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991, and the first country to ratify Latvia's accession to NATO in 2004.
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