News Release

For immediate release 
May 30, 2003

IT EXPO RECEIVES ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

SYDNEY, N.S. -- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced today, Government of Canada funding to assist an IT Expo to be held in May 2003 and 2004. 

The Community Access Program (CAP) Society of Cape Breton County has received financial assistance to host the IT Expo 2003 and 2004. The 
two-day May event will engage youth, government and members of the local business and education community, and encourage them to interact with the public and each other. Through informal and interactive workshops, the Expo will highlight present technology skills and development and, at the same time, provide a view of the future potential for IT on Cape Breton Island.

“By supporting the IT Expo, the Government of Canada is supporting 
long-term sustainable growth on Cape Breton Island,” said Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria speaking on behalf of Minister Byrne. “The knowledge-based economy is an area for growth and development on the Island and we need to capitalize on that. The IT Expo gives us that opportunity.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting this important initiative,” says Rodger Cuzner, M.P. for Bras d’Or-Cape Breton, also speaking on behalf of Minister Byrne. “The IT Expo will encourage a greater “Business to Business” presence for economic impact and will focus on end-user opportunities which is good for the whole Island.” 

“The Expo will seek to establish a positive perception of the IT industry on Cape Breton,” says Joan O’Connor, sales and marketing coordinator for the IT Expo 2003 and 2004. “IT Expo promises to bring a heightened awareness to our CAP network, its services and to the IT industry itself both on and off the Island.”

The total estimated cost of the project is $390,515. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, will provide a non-repayable contribution of $132,120. An additional contribution of $196,395 will be provided by Human Resources Development Canada. 


The CAP Society of Cape Breton County is a regional working group of CAP sites committed to the social, economic and cultural enhancement of communities through the use of Information Technology. Their mandate is to offer service, support, and enhancement to CAP members. The goal of the CAP Society of Cape Breton is to provide affordable public access and to foster growth in the use of technology for the benefit of the community.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation 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.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan 
Office of the Honourable Gerry Byrne 
Minister of State 
Tel: (613) 941-7241

Office of Mark Eyking, MP
Sydney-Victoria
Tel: (902) 567-6275

Office of Roger Cuzner, MP
Bras d’Or-Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763 

D. A. Landry 
ECBC Communications 
Tel: (902) 564-3617

Joan O’Connor
Sales and Marketing Coordinator 
IT Expo 2003 and 2004
Tel: (902) 562-4054