Prime Minister Jüri Ratas was acquainted with the legacy of Estonian architects in Toronto and visited the Estonian House, which houses the Honorary Consulate General of Estonia, the Estonian Credit Union, as well as the Estonian school and kindergarten. Ratas also met with Estonian entrepreneurs abroad and representatives of Estonian organisations.

Approximately 20,000 to 25,000 Estonians live in Canada, and according to the 2016 population census, 7,800 of them live in Toronto.

“I am very glad to see that this active Estonian community in Canada with its long traditions is passing along the Estonian language and culture from generation to generation and is standing together. I am happy that they wish to participate more in the society of Estonia and enhance the activities of Estonian communities all over the world. It is important that the Estonians who live abroad are actively participating in the politics and social life there. This helps to make Estonia bigger and stronger,” Ratas said.

Estonia supports the Estonian communities abroad through the Compatriots’ Scholarships that fund teaching Estonian and in Estonian in schools abroad, as well as studying in Estonia. The programme also supports archiving the Estonian cultural heritage, the preservation of culture, and encouraging returning to Estonia.

Estonia has continually supported the Canadian community over the years. The Toronto Estonian Kindergarten and the Toronto Estonian School have received funding. Canadian-born Estonian young people have participated in the Estonian language and mind summer camps in Estonia, and received Compatriots’ Scholarships to study in Estonian higher education schools. Teachers of Estonian language in Canada have participated in summer schools for teachers in Estonia.

Last night, prime minister also visited a concert of Maarja Nuut and Hendrik Kaljujärv, and the vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis in Toronto as part of the Estonian Music Week Festival in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Estonia. Estonian Music Week is one of the most extensive celebrations of Estonia 100 in Northern America.