NLIS 6
September 5, 2006
(Executive Council)
Premier says great lessons
to be learned from Iceland and Norway
The successes in jurisdictions like
Iceland and Norway in the fishery and energy industries should be
achievable in Newfoundland and Labrador, said Premier Danny Williams
today. The Premier visited the two countries last week and was
accompanied to Iceland by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Tom
Rideout.
Information gained through meetings with the Energy Ministry in Norway
also strengthened the Premier�s resolve to stand firm on his
government�s position vis-�-vis the province�s return from our oil and
gas resources.
�When you look at what the Norwegian government has done over the years
to ensure their natural resources benefit the people of Norway, I am
more convinced than ever that our government�s position with the oil and
gas companies is reasonable and fair,� said Premier Williams. �When you
consider the enormous taxation levels in Norway and equity
participation, the fact that we are looking for a greater return on a
field that has been sitting idle for 30 years is certainly realistic.�
The Premier commented that obviously the main difference in Norway and
Newfoundland and Labrador is that Norway is a country; however, he
firmly believes that with the support of the federal government greater
returns are attainable.
�It is important for Canadians to remember that if we can get the
federal government�s support on moving projects like the Hebron field
forward, then not only do the people of the province benefit but indeed
all Canadians benefit. As it stands, without that development the
taxpayers of Canada are subject to lose billions of dollars, so I
sincerely believe that the time has come for the federal government to
stand with the provinces and territories and demand greater benefits
from our resources for our people,� said Premier Williams. �Norway has
done exactly that and is now one of the highest performing countries in
the world, with the highest standard of living. Let�s embrace the
Norwegian approach and see our citizens benefit in the same way
corporations have benefited from energy prices around the world.�
The Premier was also very keen to learn more about the alternate
technologies being developed in Iceland, specifically in hydrogen
energy. �They are leading the world in innovative energy expertise like
hydrogen technology. It was amazing to see the progress they have made
in that area, and I am excited by the potential for hydrogen technology
in our province. The information we gathered in both countries will
certainly benefit us as we finalize our Energy Plan in the coming
months.�
The policies and strategies that have been applied in both of these
countries have resulted in robust economies and could be adopted to
build a stronger more prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador. �From their
socially-minded approach to the development of their oil and gas
resources to best practices in aquaculture and fish harvesting and
processing, we have much to learn from Iceland and Norway,� added the
Premier. �The models for success are right there for us to use, and I am
anxious to apply the knowledge that we gained last week to our local
industries.�
Minister Rideout added that there are many best practices that can be
learned from the Icelandic fishery. �There has been incredible
diversification within the Iceland economy, coming out of their fishing
industry,� said Minister Rideout. �Some companies that started out in
the fishery are now diversifying into other sectors on a global basis.
Their fishery also makes good use of technology and their science and
resource management is extremely efficient. They are very focused on
getting the best possible return for the resource and I believe we can
learn from some of their policy decisions.�
The Premier and minister met with several government and industry
officials, and were struck by the similarities between Newfoundland and
Labrador, and Iceland and Norway.
�I recall commenting on several occasions, that if these northern
countries can turn opportunity into success, then we can certainly do it
in Newfoundland and Labrador,� added the Premier. �This is especially
the case with Iceland, where you see a geographically isolated region
with a very small population base. And yet they have a strong economy
partially based on a prosperous fishery. Both Norway and Iceland have
certainly encountered challenges in the fishery, yet they continue to be
models for success that we can learn from.�
As the provincial government continues to invest heavily into
aquaculture, learning from the success of the Norwegian industry will be
key to similar success in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Premier
commented that over several years of strategic policy and planning,
Norway is now a world leader in aquaculture. The province has already
partnered with Norwegian companies in technology sharing. �Aquaculture
can and should be a significant component of revitalizing rural
communities and we must continue to build upon these partnerships and
learn from their experience as move this industry forward.�
Photo #1: Premier Williams meets with the Prime Minister of Iceland, the Honourable Geir Haarde, August 29, 2006
Photo #2: Premier Williams and Minister Rideout meet with the Honourable Minister of Industry and Commerce Jon
Sigurdsson, Iceland, August 29, 2006
Photo #3: Premier Williams and Jim
Keating of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro visit a Hydrogen Energy
facility in Iceland, August 30, 2006
Photo #4: Premier Williams and Minister Rideout meet with Johann Sigurjonsson, Director of the Marine Research
Institute of Iceland, August 30, 2006
Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 351-1227,
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Lori Lee Oates, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, (709) 729-3733,
690-8403, oatesll@gov.nl.ca
2006 09 05 1:00 p.m. |