News Release

For immediate release
May 17, 2004


First Nation community receives funding for internationally
certified laboratory

Eskasoni, N.S. – The Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission Incorporated (EFWCI) will establish an internationally certified laboratory with assistance from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC).

The Commission will use the funding to establish an internationally certified natural science and food laboratory within its newly constructed administration building at the Eskasoni First Nation. The 1,500 sq. ft. facility is a
multi-purpose fisheries and shellfish lab providing state-of-the-art facilities for its various research activities.

“The laboratory will result in the creation of a number of highly skilled technical positions,” said the Honourable Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria. “It will also provide valuable learning opportunities and support the growth of aboriginal businesses within the natural resources sector.”

“In 1999, the five Cape Breton First Nations formed the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, to collaboratively provide research activity with Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and Health Canada,” said Charlie Dennis, Executive Director. “Until now, due to insufficient space and equipment, the research scientists had to work in Halifax at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. This new lab will allow us to conduct research here in Eskasoni.”

The total estimated cost of the project is $374,401. ECBC will make a
non-repayable contribution of $250,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program.

The EFWCI was registered in January 1996 to provide laboratory services in support of the Commission’s natural resources research and development work.

The Business Development Program provides small- to medium- sized enterprises access to capital in the form of interest-free, unsecured repayable contributions.

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.

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FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:

THE ESKASONI FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION INCORPORATED HAS RECEIVED A NON-REPAYABLE CONTRIBUTION OF $250,000 THROUGH ECBC TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED, NATURAL SCIENCE AND FOOD LABORATORY IN THE ESKASONI FIRST NATION.

MP MARK EYKING SAYS THE LABORATORY WILL RESULT IN THE CREATION OF A NUMBER OF HIGHLY SKILLED TECHNICAL POSITIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan
Office of the Honourable Office of the Minister of ACOA
Tel: (613) 941-7241 
 

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

Tom Johnson
Eskasoni Fish & Wildlife Commission Inc.
Tel: (902) 379-2422

D.A. Landry
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564-3617