November 16, 1999
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

The following statement was issued today by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to update my honourable colleagues on some of the exciting initiatives taking place in our advanced technology sector.

Yesterday, I participated in the announcement of the Mobile Home Care Platform, a project that will enable home health care providers to access patient records and other information electronically. Computers and Communications Ltd. of Deer Lake and Collaborative Network Technologies of St. John's are two of the innovative companies at the heart of this project.

We also have exciting things happening in our marine information technology industry, both here and across the country.

Earlier today, I participated through video conference in the Marine Information Skyway announcement, which took place in Ottawa.

This is a $2.5 million investment initiative for the development of commercial opportunities in marine satellite communications applications in Canada.

The initiative is supported through the Canadian Space Agency, and this is the first project under its new plan. The fund is administered by the Communications Research Centre.

I am pleased to inform my honourable colleagues that the Marine Information Skyway project will be facilitated through the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications (CCMC) office here in our province. This is a natural fit, given our historic affiliation with the ocean, and our well-known marine expertise.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a world leader in marine industrial capability. Over the years, CCMC has furthered this industry's growth through its innovative and flexible approach to development and its focus on commercial applications. My department of Industry, Trade and Technology, through membership on its board of directors, is pleased to work in partnership with CCMC on projects such as the Marine Information Skyway.

This partnership approach has contributed to the industrial development of technically advanced marine products and services that are being marketed around the world.

The Marine Information Skyway initiative will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the commercial development of marine satellite communications applications in this province, and across the country.

I hope my honourable colleagues will join me in congratulating the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications on this new venture. I look forward to working with CCMC to further develop our marine technology industry in this province.

1999 11 16 2:45 p.m.