Embassy of Iceland - Ottawa, Canada

As a modern globalised economy and an active participant in EU´s single market, Iceland was among the first to become seriously hit in this unprecedented financial crisis.

The global financial crisis has hit Icelandic families hard, many have lost their lifesavings and others are at risk of losing their homes. Ordinary Icelanders are now faced with bleak economic prospects even though they were not responsible for the banking crisis: inflation is in the double-digits, external debt is increasing, and unemployment is rising.

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From the Icelandic Tourist Board: While Iceland and most other countries are currently dealing with a serious financial crisis, business in Iceland is being conducted as usual. All services - including banking services – are functioning as on any other day. >>>

Please note that in order for a Canadian document to have the intended legal effect in Iceland it must be legalized in the following manner >>>

Due to the special circumstances on the Icelandic financial markets the Government of Icelandic has decided to open an information center for the public, businesses and the media, both in Iceland and abroad.The purpose of the center is to receive enquiries by telephone or email, addressed to the Icelandic authorities regarding the current circumstances. >>>

Here is a link to The Prime Minister's Office Information Site: http://www.presspodium.com/is/ >>>

The Embassy of Iceland and the Friends of Iceland present a concert by "Óperukór Hafnarfjarðar" the Icelandic Hafnarfjörður Opera Chorus at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Avenue on Tuesday September 30 at 7:30 pm. >>>

On September 15 2008 Ambassador Sigríður Anna Þórðardóttir presented her credentials to Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. Ambassador Þórðardóttir is the first woman to serve as an ambassador to Canada since the establishment of the embassy in 2001. >>>

Ambassador Markús Örn Antonsson has been appointed Director of the National Heritage Centre in Iceland from Sept. 1, 2008. Accordingly, he and his wife Steinunn Ármannsdóttir are leaving their posting in Ottawa this week.

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Canadian businesses and investors will get a closer look at opportunities in relations with the EFTA states – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, through the planned road-show in October-November

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During their visit to British Columbia at the end of May, the Ambassador of Iceland and his wife visited the Höfn-Icelandic Harbour Home for Assisted Living in Vancouver and met with residents and the Icelandic-Canadian board members.

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The Global Peace Index for 2008, released earlier this week, ranks Iceland as the world’s most peaceful nation. >>>

Ambassador Markús Örn Antonsson visited Prince Edward Island on May 7 and 8 where he was received by the Lieutenant Governor of the Province; the Premier, the Speaker of the Legislature and the Mayor of Charlottetown.

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The inception of Icelandair's direct flights between Iceland and Canada this summer marks the beginning of a new era in relations between the two countries.

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Iceland and Canada are preparing a bilateral agreement on security and defence cooperation. This was one of the subjects discussed by the Icelandic Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper when they met in Ottawa on April 17 2008.

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Interest in trade between Iceland and Newfoundland and Labrador has been steadily mounting in recent years and the two jurisdictions have now formalized this interest with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

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At a ceremony held in Toronto April 13, the Embassy of Iceland and the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto honoured four Icelandic-Canadians in Ontario who were recently appointed to the Order of Canada.

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The Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa in cooperation with the Iceland Tourist Board and the Trade Council of Iceland participated in the Ottawa Travel and Vacation Show held April 5 and 6 at the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park in Canada’s capital city.

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Business school students from 12 foreign countries assembled at the Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario, March 12 to 15 to compete in a case study featuring the Icelandic Kaupthing Bank’s acquisition of the Singer Friedland Financial Group in Britain.

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Iceland boasts an impressive cultural reservoir of famous musicians and filmmakers, and a reputation for world-class cuisine that rivals any city in the world.

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Glaciologist and writer Dr. Jack D. Ives was honoured at a special ceremony in the Embassy residence in Ottawa on 17 January 2008 to mark the publication of his new book about the Skaftafell National Park in Iceland. On the same occasion, Dr. Ives was congratulated on the recent presentation of the Order of the Falcon to him by the President of Iceland.

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Do you like to meet people and make new friends? Stay with Icelandic relatives? Learn about Icelandic culture and language? Travel around Iceland´s most exotic spots?

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