Building IEC bridges in Canada, where the world connects

2003-11-28

Owing to its immense and varied landscape, much of Canada's history has by necessity been devoted to the development of new ideas and innovations that connect its vast geography and unite its diverse population.

Bridges have been built all over the country, not only to join land separated by bodies of water, but also to unite people separated by language, religion and culture. The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) chose Canada's ability to make connections-both literally and figuratively-as a central theme for the 67th annual edition of the International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) General Meeting.

The Meeting, held in Montreal, QC, during the week of October 12 to 17, 2003, was the largest event ever organized by the SCC and, the island of Montreal, an ideal location. Its numerous bridges stretching across the majestic St. Lawrence River and the city's reputation as a truly multicultural city closely parallel Canada's important role in the IEC as a country capable of bridging both the geographical distance and ideological differences between nations involved in standardization activities.

The IEC specializes in the development and harmonization of standards and conformity assessment practices for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. The Canadian National Committee of the IEC (CNC/IEC), with the support of the SCC, represents Canada at this international organization.

For many of the 1,100 individuals that made the journey to Montreal it was their first visit, but some longtime IEC members would remember that Montreal was also the chosen locale when the IEC-AGM was last hosted by Canada, in 1985.

In addition to bolstering Canada's reputation as a bridge between nations, the event was also an opportunity to display the nation's wealth of innovative talent and technological expertise. Nowhere was this more apparent then in the impressive list of sponsors that signed up to help the SCC put on this major event.

Atop the list as the event's major sponsor was Hydro-Québec, one of the biggest producers and distributors of electricity in North America, supported by GE Canada along with several other Canadian companies including: Dupont, Corning, Nortel Networks and Alcatel. The Canadian Standards Association and the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC) were also among the important contributors and sponsors of the week's activities.

Over the course of the event which included five days of pre-conference sessions, 936 IEC delegates representing 51 countries were involved in dozens of meetings. Things officially got underway on October 12 when more than 700 guests attended the opening ceremony and reception at the Palais des congrès (also the venue for the majority of meetings). The theme of the evening was multiculturalism and the event featured a menu and entertainment highlighting Canada's rich cultural mosaic. Current IEC President Dr. Seichi Takayanagi made welcoming remarks at this ceremony, as did CNC/IEC President Tony Flood. Corporate sponsors Jacques Regis of Hydro-Québec TransÉnergie and Bob Gillespie, president of GE Canada, also brought greetings to attendees.

In the days that followed, the Palais des congrès buzzed with activity as delegates embarked a busy schedule that included both management and technical meetings. Among the many highlights of the week were keynote presentations at the IEC Council's open session by Hydro Quebec Trans-Énergie President Yves Filion and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Senior Director John Walter. Among the other speakers and panelists at the open session were: Melvyn R. Altman of the US Food and Drug Administration, American IT consultant Edward R. Kelly, European Commission Director Evangelo Vardakas, Siemens AG representative Klaus Wucherer, and Kiyoshi Yamakawa from Sony Corporation.

Delegates at the Council meeting were also asked to elect a new IEC executive for the period of 2005-2008 and to take part in annual elections for the council board and SMB. SCC Executive Director Peter Clark was elected to the Council Board.

Also of note was a Technical Committee Officers' Workshop that featured a presentation by Pat Keindel, President of CSA. This was the second time a workshop of this nature was held and it was well attended by chairmen, secretaries and assistant secretaries from numerous committees.

In addition to official IEC business, delegates and guests joined numerous social events, technical visits and tours, all of which showcased Canada - its past, present and future.

To cap off the week, Hydro-Québec hosted a spectacular send-off for participants. Windsor Station in downtown Montreal was transformed into a Canadian winter wonderland, complete with magical snowflakes and ice skating show.

The dinner concluded not only a successful week of meetings but also more than four years of preparations dating back to 1999 when the proposal for Canada to host the 2003 meeting was first put forward. In June 2001, the IEC accepted Canada's offer and the planning began in earnest.

It seems like the years of preparation paid off: in the online survey conducted by the SCC following the meeting, attendees gave the meeting an overall "satisfaction" rating of 7.6 out of 10. Many of those surveyed commented on the professionalism and organization of the event and on the pleasant and courteous manner of SCC staff and volunteers. High marks were also given for the services provided by the GE Canada sponsored business centre at the meeting site, the reception and information desk, on-site hospitality and services and the opening and closing ceremonies. One participant had this to say about the event:  "Thanks for a very professional effort and friendly service. Information technology use was very impressive. I felt very welcome and looked after in every step. Well done job by Canada." 

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