The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2004, Blaðsíða 14

12
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 59 #1
courage; they wanted something better.
They wanted security; they wanted more
material things in their lives; they wanted a
better future for their kids. They came
here, and look at what they have done! In a
sense, Canada has benefited from these
people, coming from every corner of the
earth, the cream of the crop. Canada has
been very fortunate in this regard, there-
fore I have always strongly supported
immigration. I have always believed in
multiculturalism. I just look at Canada
today and I say, "Why would we put a stop
to that?"
Kevin: Canada, a multicultural society,
may help show the way for the world.
Mr. Harvard: Yes. Unfortunately, in
our history, our aboriginal people have
been left behind. Many, both inside and
outside of the aboriginal community,
acknowledge this. Many sincere Canadians
have endeavoured to improve the living
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conditions of our aboriginals; we have not
yet found solutions for these complex
problems. Overcoming some of the serious
issues facing aboriginals remains our last
frontier. It must happen. No one benefits
from poverty; certainly the poverty strick-
en do not benefit! Neither do we, the more
fortunate, benefit; it pulls the economy
down. We all benefit when we can bring
people out of poverty, and offer them a
better future. The elimination of poverty,
whether in the aboriginal community or
elsewhere, is in the best interest of every-
one.
Kevin: In your role as the lieutenant-
governor are there things you can do to
move this in the right direction, towards
more inclusiveness for our aboriginal peo-
ple?
Mr. Harvard: I announced some of my
projects at my inaugural address. I want to
work closely with people around the issue
of early childhood development disorders,
such as autism and fetal alcohol spectrum
disorder. I do not have political power.
Neither does this office have money; I can-
not hand out money. I can, through this
office, bring attention to these social issues.
I plan to focus on these issues.
Kevin: What do you see as the future
of Manitoba, and of your role in that future
as lieutenant-governor?
Mr. Harvard: The future of Manitoba
is limitless. Only our own creativity, imag-
ination and efforts limit us. We can make
Manitoba whatever we want to make of it;
we have natural resources, some of the
greatest people on earth here. We have
hydroelectric resources; we have so many
things. In the main, we have this repository
of talented people and a good education
system. There is nothing that may not be
improved upon, but we have a lot going for
us! I see no place for pessimism. We have
some problems, serious challenges, but
nothing should hold us back. We have the
talent, the commitment and the political
system. We have organization; we have
democracy, a fully functioning, high level