Operation ONLINE Awards Contracts

A CD-ROM designed to assist shipping companies with navigation, a computer-based municipal infrastructure management tool, and a multi-media version of the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador are just three of nine exciting new information technology projects which Operation ONLINE announced today through its New Media Initiative. The total value of projects supported is $1.95M of which Operation ONLINE is contributing $902,348.

In making the announcement at a news conference in St. John's, Mr. Sam Walters, Chair of Operation ONLINE Inc., was joined by the Honourable Brian Tobin, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Mr. Paul Mills, Vice President of ACOA - Newfoundland representing the Honourable Fred Mifflin, P.C., M.P., Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for ACOA.

"We have strategically chosen these projects to support the growth of small- to medium-size enterprises in the local information technology sector," said Mr.Walters, "as well as to fund projects in areas offering notable market opportunity such as healthcare, education, and culture. The proposals being funded demonstrate real innovation, significant market potential and come from proponents with proven track records. Operation ONLINE looks forward to working with these companies to ensure that projects result in the development of products and services that capitalize on emerging opportunities and contribute to collective industry success."

Premier Tobin said, "The awarding of contracts to the nine companies and their partners captures Operation ONLINE's commitment to development of the sector throughout the province. Based in both rural and urban areas, these companies are making a strategic investment of fiscal and intellectual resources in the development of new products and services to satisfy global markets. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to positioning the local information technology industry as a key international player."

Speaking on behalf of Minister Mifflin, Mr. Paul Mills said, "It is exciting to witness the growth of the information technology industry in Canada. The federal government views the IT sector as a cornerstone of the Canadian economy offering long term growth potential. Through the work of Operation ONLINE and the private sector, Newfoundland and Labrador is demonstrating that it is on the cutting edge of innovation in the advanced technology arena. Canadian industry is capitalizing on both the creative and technical skills of people contributing to the development of new commodities to meet new consumer and industrial demands ."

The New Media Initiative is one component of the Operation ONLINE action plan to grow the IT sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. This initiative supports the development and commercialization of products or services in the Software, Multimedia and Information Highway content creation areas that build on emerging opportunities in areas such as health, education, tourism, culture and commerce.

Operation ONLINE Inc. (Opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador in the New Economy) is a not-for-profit corporation formed in November 1996 to provide investment and leadership in information technology as an engine of economic renewal. Stemming from a 1995 provincial task force on information technology, Operation ONLINE is a partnership of industry with the federal and provincial governments whose aim is to capture emerging opportunities and enhance the province's position in the sector. Operation ONLINE is supported through the Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic Renewal.

Contact:

Daryl Genge
Operation ONLINE
(709) 729-6000

Heidi Bonnell
Office of the Premier
(709) 729-3960

Susan Laite
Bristol Communications
(709) 758-0295

Ellen Alcock
Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic Renewal
(709) 772-5116