The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2004, Qupperneq 21

Vol. 59 #2
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
63
nu stoSugt fram ur o5rum a3 Jm er var3ar
medaltekjur, Efsga;3asta3al og lffsllkur. A3
Jaessu leyti eru jaeir a undan flestum o5rum
J>jo3um i Evropu og standa bae3i
Kanadamonnum og Bandarikjamonnum
jafnfaetis a sumum svi3um.
Sem Islendingar f Nordur Amerfku
viljum vi3 eiga nokkurn Jiatt l J>vl stolti sem
land fe5ra okkar og maeSra ber me3 rettu.
During the past decade, there has been
a strengthening in the relationship between
Iceland and Canada. Much of this occurred
as a direct result of the unique circum-
stances surrounding the Millennium
events, especially the anniversary of the
first Nordic settlements in North America
in approximately 1000. The appointment of
an Icelandic Ambassador to Canada sta-
tioned in Ottawa and the appointment of a
Consul General in Winnipeg has been wel-
comed and warmly embraced. We now see
the growth of commercial and cooperative
relations between the two countries,
including the recent establishing of an
Iceland Canada Chamber of Commerce.
A unique development has been the
establishing of a cooperative arrangement
between the Governments of Iceland and
Manitoba for pursuing research and devel-
opment of hydrogen as a fuel and fuel cell
technologies. An Agreement was signed in
2003 by the Honorable Tim Sale, Minister
of Energy, Science and Technology for
Manitoba and by the Honorable Valgerdur
Sverrisdottir, Minister of Industry and
Commerce for Iceland.
The idea for this cooperative arrange-
ment occurred because of unique, but com-
plementing, conditions associated with the
energy sectors in the respective jurisdic-
tions. Both Iceland and Manitoba are
blessed with abundant renewable energy,
primarily hydropower, but also including
geothermal in Iceland. Both jurisdictions
have recognized the vitally important role
of energy for overall economic develop-
ment. Both jurisdictions have respected the
inherent complexities in developing and
managing successful energy systems, in
establishing strong administrative struc-
tures, and in appointing excellent leaders
and managers.
With Landsvirkjun and other Icelandic
Energy Authorities, Iceland has successful-
ly developed its hydroelectric and geother-
mal resources for delivering low cost elec-
tricity and heating, and for attracting ener-
gy intensive industries. More recently, it
has established a global leadership role in
progressively eliminating dependence on
imported hydrocarbons, through conver-
sion of renewable energy into hydrogen
and associated use of fuel cells for motive
power, primarily in the transportation sec-
tor.
In Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro has
been an exceptionally well organized and
managed utility, which is now delivering
the lowest cost electricity in North
America. With its increasing export of elec-
tricity to neighboring jurisdictions based
on development of its renewable resources,
Manitoba is positioned to become the first
jurisdiction in North America to become a
net negative user of hydrocarbon-based
energy. These are remarkable accomplish-
ments, which we as citizens too often take
for granted. We should also remember that
many Icelanders, such as Kris Kristjanson
and John Arnason, from right here in
Gimli, have contributed greatly to this
great legacy.
Based on these successes and aligned
aspirations, it became only natural for
Iceland and Manitoba to establish a coop-
erative research and development program
for tomorrow's energy technologies. Both
jurisdictions are concerned with reducing
dependence on hydrocarbon fuels, which
are not renewable, which are increasingly
expensive, and which cause global warm-
ing. There is an impressive exhibit on these
technologies at the New Iceland Heritage
Museum, here in Gimli.
There are enormous challenges ahead
with this program. Nevertheless, the two
Governments are to be saluted for taking
this very progressive step, based on a long
term vision, commitment to cooperation
and true political leadership. It also did not
hurt that many Icelanders, both in Iceland
and in Manitoba, also were very committed
to this vision and strong promoters of this
cooperative effort.
These and other similar arrangements
have all served to bring all Icelanders clos-