The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, today announced that work is beginning on another five-year economic development strategy for eastern Prince Edward Island.

"The development of this strategy will be based on ideas and input from the individuals, communities, business people and youth of Eastern Prince Edward Island who want to see continued growth and prosperity for the region," said Minister MacAulay on behalf of the Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "It will build on the successes of the last strategy and help to guide future sustainable economic development." The consulting firms of MacIssac Younker Roche Soloman and MacPherson Roche Smith & Noonan will be preparing the strategy using the information gathered in a consultation process that offers various opportunities for participation. A questionnaire will be available and round tables for several sectors are planned. A sample of Grade 12 students from Montague, Souris and Morell will be surveyed to gain a better perspective on a range of issues. There will also be individual interviews conducted.

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"Recommendations in the strategy will identify and priorize the economic sectors offering the highest potential for sustainable economic development and identify specific viable projects and initiatives within these sectors. I encourage everyone from across eastern Prince Edward Island to become involved in the process of developing this new strategy," said Minister MacAulay.

The study is being funded by ACOA and will be released when it is completed early in 2002.

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For more information, please contact:

Sylvie Leduc
Office of the Honourable Robert Thibault
(613) 941-7451

Catherine MacInnis-Gordon
ACOA PEI and Tourism
(902) 368-0502