July 26, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, will pay a state visit to Canada August 3 - 9, 2000, at the invitation of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. President Grímsson will be accompanied by the Icelandic Minister of the Environment and Nordic Co-operation, Ms. Siv Fridleifsdottir.

"Our continent’s contacts with Iceland date back 1000 years to the Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland," said the Prime Minister. "President Grimsson's visit will be an opportunity to celebrate this long history and to continue to foster the excellent relations between our two countries."

President Grímsson will begin his trip in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 3, where he will meet with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, as well as with the Honourable Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba and the Honourable Peter M. Liba, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. In addition, the President will attend a roundtable discussion with leaders of the Canadian-Icelandic community to discuss the preservation of Icelandic heritage in a Canadian multicultural society.

On August 5, the President will travel to Vancouver, where he will meet with the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment and the Honourable Garde B. Gardom, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. He will also participate in a roundtable discussion with leaders of the Canadian-Icelandic community about Iceland’s contribution to Canadian culture.

Throughout his trip, President Grímsson will take part in ceremonies celebrating Icelandic culture in Canada. In Gimli, Manitoba, formerly known as New Iceland, the President will view the Icelandic Festival Paradeon August 7. The President will also travel to Halifax on August 8, where he will visit, among other locations, Pier 21 and the Bedford Institute of Oceanography.

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