For Immediate Release: September 26, 2003

Membertou Welcomes the World

Sydney, N.S. - In a sod turning ceremony today, Membertou Chief Terrance Paul, along with Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria, and the Honourable Cecil Clarke, Nova Scotia Minister of Enegry announced funding for the construction of a trade and commerce centre in the in the Mi’kmaq community of Membertou. Mr. Eyking made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State responsible for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Cape Breton Growth Fund (CBGF) and the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. 

Speaking to a crowd in attendance at the Membertou Trade and Commerce Centre (MTCC) construction site, Chief Terrance Paul said, “Choosing to invest in the development of a world-class convention centre is another example which shows that Membertou is open for business. The Membertou Trade and Commerce Centre will be a springboard to promote trade, commerce and culture and we look forward to working in partnership with local business operators to enhance economic opportunities in the region.”

The MTCC will be located in the newly constructed Membertou Commercial Park. It will be the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s (CBRM) premiere conference facility, able to accommodate up to 900 delegates in a state-of-the-art facility that celebrates a Mi’kmaq cultural theme. Access to this type of facility will enable the CBRM and all of Cape Breton to attract and host local, provincial, regional and international conferences, events and trade shows. 

“The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the First Nation community of Membertou to help make this facility a reality,” said Mr. Eyking. “Attracting meetings and special events is key to the growth of the hospitality industry. The need for convention facilities in the Sydney area has been identified as a priority by the CBGF’s Tourism Road Map. The MTCC will address that need and have a significant economic impact on the entire community.” 

“Cape Breton is continuing its successful economic transition through diversified investments. This new convention centre will not only be a piece of much needed infrastructure for Cape Breton, but it will also serve to enrich the cultural experience available to visitors and residents alike,” commented Minister Cecil Clarke, on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia.

The MTCC will consist of a new 47,000 sq. ft. building containing a 10,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose conference room that will have video teleconferencing technology, smart boards and other state-of-the-art conference services and amenities. Fully equipped with full performance sound and light, the space can also double as an entertainment venue accommodating an audience of up to 900. There will be a catering kitchen enabling the Centre to host banquets for groups of up to 500 people, as well as a number of break out rooms and a full-service, 140-seat restaurant.

The Centre will feature a Mi’kmaq virtual museum that will celebrate the culture and development of the Membertou community. The MTCC will also house Membertou’s Fisheries Science Centre, which conducts fisheries-related research and development, as well as a progressive GIS Mapping Centre of Excellence. 

The total cost of the facility is $6.23 million. The CBGF is investing $2.1 million by way of a non-repayable contribution, while ECBC is providing an additional $840,000 through ACOA’s Business Development Program and the Strategic Community Investment Fund. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is also assisting with the project, providing $2 million through its Marshall funding which is designed to build a more diversified Aboriginal economy on the east coast. The remainder of the project costs, estimated at $1.2 million will be provided by Membertou. The centre is expected to create 17 full-time jobs in addition to the 50 jobs created during the construction phase.

Membertou, a Mi’kmaq community of 1,000 located within Sydney, Nova Scotia, became the first indigenous government to become ISO 9001:2000 compliant.

The CBGF is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia and has a mandate to assist in the transition of the Cape Breton economy. 

ECBC offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

                                                          -30-

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barbara Stead-Coyle                                    
Cape Breton Growth Fund Corporation        
Tel: 902-564-7331                                      
Fax: 902-564-7339                                  

D.A. Landry
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: 902-564-3617
Fax: 902-564-3825

Nicola Parker                                              
Membertou                                                  
Tel: 902-471-6538                                     
Fax: 902-539-6644 

Patricia Ellis
Communications Officer  
INCA
Tel: 902-661-6232

For Further Information on the CBGF contact:
Barbara Stead-Coyle
Director of Communications
Cape Breton Growth Fund Corporation
15 Dorchester Street
PO Box 1264
Sydney, NS B1P 6J9
Tel: 902-564-7331
Fax: 902-564-7339
bstead@cbgf.ca

Back to News Releases

Last Modified: 2006-07-13		Important Notices