Paul Läänemets

Paul Läänemets calls the Ottawa Estonian community home and is passionate about his Estonian roots. Reflected by his family’s history of fleeing soviet occupation and current geopolitical events, he believes in the continued need to promote Canada and Estonia’s key shared values of human rights, democracy, and freedom.

He was first elected to EKN in 2012 and has served on the executive since 2015. Paul is active in advocacy efforts and has been a recurring member of the Ottawa Black Ribbon Day Organizing Committee. He also participated as a delegate for the Worldwide Estonian Central Council and was keynote speaker at the 2013 Independence Day ceremony in Toronto.

Paul has experience in public policy as an advisor for an Estonian Canadian cabinet minister, contributing to international affairs decision-making in the most senior ranks of the federal government. He helped organize the first State visit by a President of Estonia to Canada. He also supported community engagement, such as organizing a Federal Budget consultation with Estonian Canadian business leaders.

Paul later joined the staff at the Embassy of Estonia, assisting with events and marketing during Estonia’s centennial anniversary and Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Paul continues to work in the public service, now as an investigative officer, reviewing pardon applications in the Clemency and Record Suspension Division of the Government of Canada.