The Canadian Armed Forces have been leading in Europe since 2015, when our presence first got there 10 years ago. We stepped up as one of the first four lead framework nations for a battle group in 2017. In 2022, in response to the invasion, the Canadian Armed Forces stood up again from battle group to brigade; the number of 2,200 is accurate. We do surge on that mission when you combine the land forces in Latvia with the air and the maritime contributions, and they peak episodically around 3,000.
We have been resolute in our support for NATO-led deterrence and defence. Concurrently, Canadian Armed Forces are strengthening relationships with the 13 allies with whom we're partnered, including our gracious hosts in Latvia.