January 22, 1998
(Executive Council)

Team Canada companies do business at 35,000 feet

Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin and Ontario Premier Mike Harris today witnessed one of the most unique agreements signed as part of the Team Canada trade mission to Mexico and South America.

A Memorandum of Understanding was inked between EJ Trans-Lite Inc., a member of the CONPRO Group of Companies from St. John's, Newfoundland and the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT) of Sudbury, Ontario for the development of a new safety lighting system for use in underground mining.

"Our company currently manufactures life-vest mounted rescue lights for use in man overboard situations," explained Fraser Edison, President of the CONPRO Group of Companies, Trans-Lite's parent company.

"The new partnership with NORCAT will see the Trans-Lite product adapted for use in underground mining. Technology is also being developed to include a locator capacity for the `miner version' of the lights, and this will significantly improve mine safety measures," said Daryl Lake, NORCAT's Executive Director and CEO.

The agreement, which flowed from interaction between the two company executives during the flight from Mexico City to Brasilia, was hailed by the two premiers.

"This is one of the special benefits of the Team Canada experience," said Premier Harris. "Not only are our Canadian companies doing business in the development markets that we visit, they're also doing business with each other."

Premier Tobin agreed. "Here is an idea born between two entrepreneurs on board our 747 at 35,000 feet. This exemplifies the benefits of cooperation between provinces, and that opportunities that can grow between companies involved in the Team Canada missions."

Contact:

Heidi Bonnell
Office of the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, (709) 729-3564

Bob Reid
Office of the Premier of Ontario, (416) 325-7808