Ottawa, December 3, 2025 – At midday today, the Assembly of the Canada-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Canadian Parliament, established for the current Legislature, convened.
Following introductory remarks by the Group's co-chairs, Senator Judy White and Member of Parliament (MP) Gabriel Ste-Marie, Cuba's Ambassador, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, spoke. He highlighted the significance of “eight uninterrupted decades of respect, cooperation, and exchange in all sectors between Canada and Cuba.” Malmierca Díaz thanked the Canadian Government for its swift response after Hurricane Melissa: “This is not the first time Canada has supported our people in difficult times. Your solidarity is tangible proof of the true meaning of the friendship that unites us. These are gestures that we deeply appreciate and that reaffirm the historical nature of our relationship.” Furthermore, the Cuban Ambassador thanked Canada for its consistent stance in international forums against the United States' blockade.
The event, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Cuba, featured a presentation by writer Arnold August of his book “Fidel Castro: A Canadian’s Perspective.” August explained that the work analyzes the figures of the Commander-in-Chief and Pierre Trudeau, and studies the dynamics of the Canada-Cuba-United States triangle between 1959 and 1976. It also shows how the Conservative and Liberal parties, which have governed Canada since 1959, played an essential role in the evolution of this unique relationship.
Upon concluding his presentation, August offered his book free of charge and autographed.
The book can be downloaded for free at the following link: “Fidel Castro: A Canadian’s Perspective.”
