RESEARCH NETWORK EXPANDS TO NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN WITH WEPA FUNDING

Industry, health and academic institutions based in northern Saskatchewan now have access to important research information following the expansion of the Saskatchewan Research Network (SRnet) with $374,482 in cost-shared, federal-provincial funding from the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).

SRnet provides a provincial broadband network, 1,000 times faster than high speed Internet, that allows the transmission of large data, audio, or image files across Canada and around the world and allows testing of new applications for high speed digital networks. It also provides provincial access to other regional broadband research networks through the Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research Industry and Education (CANARIE) national test network, CA*net 4.

"The Government of Canada has invested repeatedly in Internet access projects over the past decade, as this innovation grew from the 'Information Highway' to high speed Internet access to today's ultra-high bandwidth network for health, education and research through SRnet," said federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "Our contribution to this northern extension allows the public and private sectors in the region to work collaboratively and competitively on a national and international basis, yielding economic development and employment opportunities."

"The research network provides strategic opportunities for Saskatchewan business, and a tool for economic development for Saskatchewan communities," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "It also provides opportunities for innovative solutions in the areas of distance education and telehealth to northern Saskatchewan."

The $701,920 expansion connected the Saskatchewan Forest Centre, Prince Albert, La Ronge health regions, SIAST campuses, Northlands College, Keewatin Career Development Corporation and First Nations University of Canada on September 1st, 2005.

Project completion is scheduled for March 31st, 2008. The remaining funding will be paid over a 30-month period through network rental and member network access.

Saskatchewan Research Network Inc. is a non-profit corporation, formed to promote and enable research and development of technologies and applications using high-speed broadband networks within Saskatchewan. SRnet and CA*net 4 currently connect researchers and educators in over 9,000 institutions across Canada and in 42 countries around the world. It is also connected to the Canada high-speed backbone network through Saskatchewan's Optical Regional Advanced Network (ORAN).

Signed in September 2003, the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement focuses on increasing the competitiveness and productivity of Saskatchewan's economy. The agreement funds initiatives that develop Saskatchewan's small and medium-sized business sector, support economic and technological innovation, assist in economic diversification and increase Aboriginal participation in the economic mainstream.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the federal Budget 2005 and the provincial Budget 2005.

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For More Information, Contact:

Renée Gillen Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) Ottawa Phone: (613) 954-1110	Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691
Joanne Mysak Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon Phone: (306) 975-5942 Cell: (888) 338-9378	Cy Scheske Saskatchewan Research Network Inc. Saskatoon Phone: (306) 668-1944