When: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Where: The Sticky Wicket Pub, Studio 919 (downstairs and the former Wicket Hall), the Strathcona Hotel, 919 Douglas Street
Time: 5 – 7:00 pm (doors open at 5 pm)
Speaker: Dr. Hal Klepak

Canada’s first diplomatic mission in the Caribbean was established in Cuba in 1945. Canada and Mexico were also the only two countries in the hemisphere not to break relations with Cuba after the Cuban revolution in 1959 that brought Fidel Castro to power. And in the years that followed, Canada became Cuba’s largest source of tourists. Today, the relationship is based on supporting the rights and legitimate democratic aspirations of the Cuban people. To this end, Canada’s approach is to engage with all elements of Cuban society – its government, the business sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society. Against this backdrop, the Trump administration has recently implemented a campaign against Cuba as part of its strategy to assert dominance in the Western Hemisphere and limit the influence of rivals such as China and Russia. In particular, and since January, Washington has severely limited oil shipments to Cuba, sparking fuel shortages and prolonged power outages, with an end goal of bringing about political and economic change in Cuba. In the face of the “Donroe Doctrine” emanating from Washington, and a growing humanitarian crisis, Cuba is facing its greatest challenge since the fall of the Soviet Union.

To explore the past, present and future of Cuba we are delighted to welcome Dr. Hal Klepak to Victoria. As a teenager, Hal lived in Cuba for three years when his father was the Defence Attaché in Canada’s Embassy in Havana. Later, with a BA (Honours) from McGill in International Relations, he went on to a Masters and PhD in International History at the University of London, focusing on Latin American affairs. His specialisation served him in good stead when Canada began to show heightened interest in Latin America. In 1995, he was called upon to be Special Adviser for Inter-American Affairs to the Minister of National Defence, an appointment that he held until 2019. With the end of the Cold War, he deepened his involvement in the island’s affairs by writing and lecturing extensively on the subject of Cuban history, completing five books and dozens of articles on a variety of Cuban historical and current political issues. He also covered Cuba for the Canadian and international media. Hal still speaks regularly on the island’s affairs and since retirement he has spent several months a year teaching in Cuba. Currently, Hal is a Visiting Professor of History at the Universidad de Holguín and lectures every second year at the University of Oriente in Santiago de Cuba. He received the Order of Canada in 2019.

The cost to attend is $22.50, which will cover your first drink and a round of appetizers.

CIC Victoria members will be sent registration and payment information directly.  This is a member only event.