The New Brunswick Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEI) held its official opening today at the New Brunswick Community College in Bathurst.

The role of the CEI is to promote the use of information technology in small- and medium-sized businesses in New Brunswick, with a view to improving access to new world markets. The CEI will create 15 new jobs over the next five years.

The Centre will foster an increase in the use of technology by business as well as provide expertise for the development of business opportunities in servicing technology. It will offer training services in computer science and multimedia, business and community services, as well as a development component. The CEI also offers a start-up service that will provide the proper environment for new entrepreneurs pursuing business opportunities in the information technology field.

"The federal government recognizes the importance of information technology. Our commitment to the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology is a commitment to the future," said the Honorable Andy Scott, Solicitor General of Canada and MP for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honorable Fred J. Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "The establishment of the Centre in Bathurst is a significant asset in the development of information technology in New Brunswick. This type of initiative will help to stimulate economic growth and accelerate the transfer of knowledge and new technology to the private sector."

Denis Landry, speaking on behalf of Advanced Education and Labour Minister, the Honorable R.J. (Roly) MacIntyre, said that the New Brunswick Community College-Bathurst is the ideal location for an organization like the CEI. "NBCC-Bathurst is renowned for its innovons, its leading-edge technology and qualified staff, and most importantly, its strong ties and desire to partner with the business community of the area and elsewhere," Mr. Landry said.

The Honorable Jean Paul Savoie, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) and Northern Development, highlighted the importance of the Centre of Excellence for the development of Northern New Brunswick. "The Centre of Excellence in Information Technology will help provide a critical mass of highly skilled individuals in the high-growth field of information technology," he said.

The Principal of NBCC-Bathurst, Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau, said she was particularly pleased about the fact that over the coming months, the CEI will be able to deliver the complete range of services planned for the centre. "We can be proud to have this type of tool for socio-economic development, which will contribute to job creation and small and medium-sized businesses, not only in the North, but all over the province," Mrs. Roy-Vienneau said.

While offering diversified and high-tech training services to New Brunswickers, the Centre of Excellence (CEI) will also develop partnerships with the private sector to enhance New Brunswick's image as a thriving province for new businesses in the information technology sector.

The project was financed in part by the Canada/New Brunswick Regional Economic Development Agreement, administered for the federal government by ACOA, and for the provincial government by RDC.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Réal Gervais Training Consultant, NBCC-Bathurst (506) 547-2169 gervais@gov.nb.ca

Johanne Lise Landry Communications, ACOA (506) 452-3687 jlandry@acoa.ca

Marc-Alain Mallet Public Affairs, Avanced Edcation and Labour (506) 453-7959 mamallet@gov.nb.ca