Chris Shapardanov

Retired Canadian foreign service officer & former Ambassador to Finland. Personal account.

[Railotech @Railotech]

The Finnish #icebreaker operator @ArctiaLtd has been contracted to provide #icebreaking services for @CoastGuardCAN in the Canadian #Arctic through an agreement with the Inuit-owned Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services (QHAS).

https://t.co/0GHWP1Bvju

(📷 Cornelia Klier/CC BY-SA)

[Alaskan NORAD Region and Alaskan Command @ANRALCOM]

A Royal Canadian Air Force C-17 transported a U.S. Army M142 HIMARS to Nome, Alaska on July 31st alongside Soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division during Operation TUNDRA MERLIN.

[Just A. Tinker @John_Gardi]

@CAShapardanov @MilHistNow You might like this... in fact I'm sure you will!
https://t.co/suCq63sgdY

[Chris Shapardanov @CAShapardanov]

@Davnie4 @MilHistNow Indeed they did depending on the timeframe. Trying to give some credit where credit is due.

[Alaskan NORAD Region and Alaskan Command @ANRALCOM]

A M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System deployed to Nome, Alaska on July 31st aboard Canadian C-17 in support of Operation TUNDRA MERLIN. The deployment brings mobile, long-range precision fires capability to the Alaskan Theater of Operations…

[CDA Institute @CDAInstitute]

Our Executive Director, Dr. Gaëlle Rivard Piché was featured in this week's @TheEconomist to discuss Canada's growing defence ties with Europe and what they mean for its relationship with the United States. https://t.co/HZYAzcwAdP

[Fareed Zakaria @FareedZakaria]

The result of President Trump’s tariffs has not been a manufacturing renaissance.

It has been higher prices, weaker investment, fewer manufacturing jobs — and a willingness to make falsehood official policy in order to defend a failed economic creed.

My latest column:
https://t.co/8MoZgoguBD

[Michael Pettis @michaelxpettis]

1/6
Gillian Tett: "In an ideal world, they would all immediately stop this mercantilist meddling, which is undermining global growth. Kristalina Georgieva, the head of the IMF, has begged China to slow its export flood by stimulating domestic demand."
https://t.co/jXwalGCtOJ

[Foreign Policy CAN @CanadaFP]

In 1909, Canada’s Department of External Affairs worked from offices above a barber shop.

As part of the British Empire, Canada did not fully control its foreign policy. Few imagined this tiny, new department would one day speak for Canada on the world stage.

#CdnPoli

[Derek DeCloet @decloet]

Here's a fun fact for the "US doesn't need anything from Canada" crowd. New data this morning from Statistics Canada:

"In May, exports of electricity to the United States rose 70.4% year over year to 4.6 million MWh, the highest level since January 2025"

[Margus Rava @RavaMargus]

I have just left Canada after the 4 years when I was trusted to help take care of the 🇪🇪 🤝🇨🇦 relations and of the renovated embassy premises. Thankful to all in 🇨🇦 and 🇪🇪 who made this honour also a pleasure!
The younger guy is from 🇪🇪 1975 animation film 'Rüblik' (A Romper).

[Legatum Prosperity Index™ @ProsperityIndex]

🇩🇰 Denmark lands at 4 in the 2026 Legatum Prosperity Index.

A familiar name near the summit. See where your country ranks.

[Michael Kovrig @MichaelKovrig]

For years after the CCP took me hostage, Ottawa struggled to manage crises when Beijing targeted Canadian exporters for coercion and leverage. Restoring leader-level dialogue under @MarkJCarney has helped rebuild communication channels, clarify intent, and manage risks of escalation. 1/5

[Tom Antonov @Tom_Antonov]

A long-standing tradition aboard the 🇫🇷 Charles de Gaulle: for a naval aviator’s final catapult launch, fellow pilots form a guard of honor along the catapult. The carrier’s commander signals the launch with a saber as the pilots salute their departing comrade.
📸 by Marie Bailly

[Chris Shapardanov @CAShapardanov]

@AmbMacArthur Due to the effects of the Gulf Stream, Europeans have the warm side of the Atlantic.

[Wab Kinew @WabKinew]

🇨🇦 Rick Hansen has been a hero of mine since I was a kid.

40 years after the Man In Motion World Tour first inspired a global movement, that same spirit is showing up at the highest levels of government.

Along with my fellow Premiers’ and the @RickHansenFdn we are committing to:
✅ Advancing accessibility nationwide
✅ Harmonizing barrier-free standards
✅ Applying accessibility best practices in publicly funded construction
✅ Advocating for a National Accessibility Retrofit Fund
✅ Supporting a national "Many In Motion Day" to share progress

Thank you Rick for a heroic lifetime of inspiration, advocacy and moving towards the dream of an inclusive and accessible Canada for all.🇨🇦

[CDA Institute @CDAInstitute]

As #RIMPAC 2026 concludes, our fellow David Borys speaks with Dr. Gaëlle Rivard Piché and RAdm David Patchell discuss lessons learned from this year's exercise, strengthening Canada's presence in the region, and the future of the @RoyalCanNavy. https://t.co/R6LoFhenpT

[Carlos Joaquín @CarlosJoaquin]

Mexico is proud to stand with Canada in times of need, just as friends and partners do. 🇲🇽🇨🇦. Our firefighters are highly trained, experienced, and courageous professionals. They have come not only to help combat these wildfires, but also to support the Canadian people.
This is what the Canada–Mexico partnership is about: solidarity, cooperation, and standing together when it matters most.
@SRE_mx @CONAFOR @r_velascoa @cristinaplanter @GAC_Corporate @fordnation @ONforestfires @EmbaMexCan

[Ready Aye Ready - Royal Canadian Navy #RCN @ReadyAyeReady]

The Royal Canadian Navy patrol frigate HMCS Toronto leaving dry dock, following a series of complex maintenance activities carried out by Davie Shipbuilding, Lauzon, Quebec. This milestone brings the Toronto one step closer to returning to active service. (Davie video) (July 2026) #RCN #RoyalCanadianNavy #Canada #Navy