INDUSTRY PANEL RECOMMENDS WAYS TO GROW IT SECTOR

Released on November 1, 2005

Minister responsible for Information Technology (IT) Andrew Thomson, today received the final report of the Minister's Advisory Council on Information Technology. Appointed in September 2004, the council was established to provide advice to the government on how best to grow the information technology sector in Saskatchewan, and how to use IT as an economic driver for the province as a whole.

"The research and recommendations of the council will provide us with an excellent base as we work to capitalize on the enormous potential the IT sector holds for strengthening the economic and social well-being of Saskatchewan," Thomson said. "I want to thank council members for their dedication and hard work. I look forward to sharing the information with my colleagues and developing plans over the next few months that will allow us to take advantage of the council's excellent work."

The report's recommendations focus on the key areas of capacity building, commercialization, capitalization and citizen services.

"The council's research clearly shows that while there are challenges ahead, the IT sector holds major promise as a key economic cluster for the province," Council Chair, Dr. David Barnard said. "The council would like to thank all those who contributed to the development of this report, especially Saskatchewan's IT industry and academic sector leaders. Their input enabled the council to develop a wide-ranging, solid set of recommendations for government consideration."

Barnard is the former President of the University of Regina and currently the president and chief executive officer of Regina-based iQmedX.

In addition to Dr. Barnard, the council includes eight other key members from Saskatchewan's business, finance, research, education and private IT sector, including: Dr. Rick Bunt, Associate vice-president of Information and Communications Technology at the University of Saskatchewan; Dr. Hugh Wood, chief operating officer of the Saskatoon-based IT firm VCom; Grant Kook, CEO and chairperson of the board of the Golden Opportunities Venture Capital Fund; Chris Krywulak, president and CEO of Regina-based iQmetrix; David Luterbach, president of Regina-based TMC; Dave Pettigrew, general manager of IBM Canada's Saskatchewan operations; Garnette Weber, executive vice-president of Saskatoon-based Itracks; and Vlatka Tustonic, a senior business development advisor with the Saskatoon Health District.

The Minister's Advisory Council report is available on the Information Technology Office Web site at http://www.ito.gov.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Art Newton ITO Regina Phone: (306)787-2215

Dr. David Barnard iQmedX Regina Phone: (306)790-2609