By Dave Thomas, Brigade National Coordinator, Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) Executive and Chair of the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA), Niagara.

Its April 30, 2012, 28 Brigadistas of the 20th Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade landed in Holguin, for three weeks of volunteering, education and fun. We are to join up with 17 more arriving from various parts of Canada for a total contingent of 45 Brigadistas.

- Ernesto Che Brigade Press Release -
- Canadian Network On Cuba, April 29, 2012 -

On Sunday, April 29, forty-five (45) Canadians departed for Cuba as members of the Canadian Network On Cuba’s 20th Ernesto Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade. The brigade is organized in conjunction with the Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples). Brigade coordinator Dave Thomas points out that “the brigade is an annual demonstration of the strong ties of solidarity and friendship that exist between the Canadian and Cuban people.”  Thomas further added “it is especially poignant that we are sending out largest group of Canadians ever at this time in the wake of Harper’s government support for the U.S. opposition to Cuba’s participation in the recently concluded Summit of the Americas.”