<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>CANADA TO CONTRIBUTE TO APEC Y2K PREPARATIONS</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">November 15, 1998 <em>(11:40 a.m.)</em> No. 263</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">CANADA TO CONTRIBUTE TO APEC Y2K PREPARATIONS</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today announced the
contribution of $150 000 for the development of an experts' symposium on Year 2000 (Y2K) computer
readiness, to be held by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The Y2K computer problem is unprecedented in its technical nature and its potential global impact. At home,
the Canadian government is committed to ensuring that Canada is prepared, but that is not enough.
Globalization means we cannot isolate ourselves from the problems of our trading partners, including APEC
economies," said Mr. Axworthy. "We must work with, learn from and help other economies ensure that their
systems are ready for the year 2000 as well."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Y2K phenomenon refers to the fact that in an effort to save expensive computer memory, most computers
store dates in the two-digit dd/mm/yy format, rather than using four digits for the year. As a result, when the
millennium arrives, computers may register the year "00" as 1900 rather than 2000. This could lead to incorrect
results or computer crashes, affecting hardware, software, products or services.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Canadian contribution will be used to organize a forum that will bring together experts from APEC member
economies. The aim is to take stock of Y2K preparations, raise awareness, compare experiences and best
practices and mobilize action. APEC trade ministers will review the state of preparations at their next meeting.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Nowhere is the trend toward interdependency more evident today than among the economies of the Asia
Pacific," said Mr. Marchi. "Co-ordination on Y2K will help ensure that the technology and infrastructure that
supports the essential trade between our economies will not be affected. This initiative is part of Canada's
approach of working bilaterally and multilaterally with other partners. We firmly believe that we all can
accomplish much more by working together, rather than in isolation."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">As part of Canada's efforts, on October 7-9 Canada hosted the Ottawa Ministerial Conference on Electronic
Commerce, where the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report<em> The Year 2000
Problem: Impacts and Actions</em> was presented. The conference brought together representatives of 41 countries,
14 international organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property
Organization, business and public interest groups. Seven APEC economies participated in the conference, and
six others attended as observers.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">At the May 1998 Birmingham Summit, leaders also agreed to take further urgent action to share information
within the G-8 and with other organizations such as the World Bank and OECD, as well as with the private
sector and public interest organizations. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Funding for this contribution was provided for in the February 1998 federal budget and is therefore built into the
existing fiscal framework.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
</body>
</html>
