Ambassador Korteniemi addresses the CNS
- Hilde Huus
- Nov 6, 2025
- 3 min read
`Her Excellency Hanna Leena Korteniemi, Finland’s Ambassador to Canada gave a spirited and very well received talk to members of the CNS and Canadian Friends of Finland on October 15. She covered a lot of ground in terms of the current geopolitical climate, discussing Finland’s approach to security and defence on its own and also in partnership with the other Nordic countries and as part of NATO. We learned that the existing strong ties between the Nordic countries have been significantly strengthened in the past year or two and that Canada is seen as a crucial partner, especially when it comes to the Arctic.
In the few months since her appointment, Ambassador Korteniemi has already visited all of Canada’s provinces and territories to foster business opportunities and trade with Finland. Finland is aiming to strengthen people to people ties with countries that share its values, including a mutual belief in free trade. She mentioned in particular Finnish expertise in the “green transition” and in emerging forestry solutions. Canada has invested in Finnish companies that make icebreaker ships and there is trilateral co-operation between Canada, Finland, and the United States in this regard.
The Nordic Council of Ministers has chosen Canada as a strategic partner and is bolstering the close collaboration among the Nordic ambassadors, who have already completed several tours in Canada together this year. As the most integrated region in the world, the Nordic countries are proving to be an interesting model for Canada’s Atlantic provinces in their aim for closer collaboration.
Defence and security have gained increasing importance recently and Finland has become a manufacturer of premium products in the defence industry. The Ambassador reminded us that defence is a natural part of the Finnish mindset due to its history and border with Russia. The Finnish mindset is naturally defence-oriented with comprehensive security plans a part of its national resilience. Finland has compulsive conscription in its army and an impressive 1 million Finns in its reserves, out of a population of only 5.5 million. Canada and Finland are closely allied in its defence and security arrangements. Ambassador Korteniemi stated that Finland will always remember that Canada was the first country to ratify Finland as a member of NATO and added that Finland has been able to contribute Arctic military operation expertise.
The Ukraine is Finland’s security priority, with the aim of an immediate ceasefire and a just and lasting peace. Russia is an existential threat to Finland and their actions against Ukraine require a resolute response and decisive action from Finland and its allies. Finland allocates 3% of its GDP on defence spending. Canada’s military presence in Latvia sends a strong signal of trans-Atlantic solidarity and Prime Minister Carney has announced that their presence there will continue until at least 2028.
(In a follow=up note, Ambassador Korteniemi included a couple of links in this regard, writing:
Canada is strengthening defence ties with Finland and Sweden. What can they teach us?
Finland and Canada enjoy celebrating our cultural bonds, which involves exchanges in sports, academics and the arts. The Ambassador had enjoyed a recent visit to Sudbury where the Finnish community was raising funds for a home for the elderly by selling the delicious Finnish sweet bread known as pulla!
We also came to know the Ambassador on a more personal level, which was very enjoyable. When asked about her educational background in Oregon, USA, she explained that she had completed her high school education there as an exchange student. Her host family had embraced her as one of their own and it was the father who had suggested to her that she could become a diplomat. This, she told us, was the seed that led to her career.
We learned that the Ambassador has become a very keen hockey fan since coming to Canada and perhaps not too surprisingly for a Finn, Ambassador Korteniemi is a dedicated ice swimmer. She was looking for suggestions for places where she could practise this activity in the Ottawa area as she was quite sure we were the ones to ask. Sure enough, a few suggestions were made, which she certainly appreciated. And we very much appreciated her comprehensive and informative talk!
Comments