PROVINCE PROTECTS PUBLIC, IT INDUSTRY WITH LEGISLATION

Self-regulation for Saskatchewan's information technology (IT) professionals is a step closer to reality. Proposed legislation, the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) of Saskatchewan Act, will ensure that IT professionals who hold the Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) designation are trustworthy, and possess the required education and experience to practice in the field.

"This government is committed to promoting IT sector growth in Saskatchewan and this legislation assists in that goal," Minister responsible for Information Technology Andrew Thomson said. "It will provide title protection and self-regulation to the information technology profession."

"We are pleased to see that the Saskatchewan government recognizes the advantages of self-regulation both to the public and to the IT profession," CIPS Saskatchewan President, Grant Kerr said. "This will help enhance the public's confidence that their information will be handled securely and ethically by capable professionals."

To date, five of the seven provincial CIPS bodies have self-regulating powers and title protection of the Information Systems Professional, (I.S.P.) designation. British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia have enacted legislation.

CIPS has a rigorous certification process, a code of professional conduct and processes for non-compliance. This ensures that IT workers with the I.S.P. designation conduct themselves in a professional manner and only undertake IT projects they are qualified for. CIPS Saskatchewan will be responsible for all costs associated with self-regulation.

CIPS was established in 1958 and is the national professional association for information technology practitioners in Canada. Over 6,000 senior IT managers, program and software developers, systems analysts, Web-based application developers, computer support and network administrators, database administrators, IT educators and students are currently CIPS members.

CIPS Saskatchewan was incorporated in 2000. Its current membership is over 250, and the provincial organization has identified approximately 1,200 jobs in the province that meet CIPS' criteria for the I.S.P. designation.

The I.S.P. is the only legislated designation for IT professionals in Canada. It was introduced in 1989 by CIPS. For more information about CIPS or the I.S.P. designation, please visit the CIPS National Web site at http://www.cips.ca/standards

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For More Information, Contact:

Grant Kerr CIPS Regina Phone: (306) 791-3698

Leigh Carter Information Technology Regina Phone: (306)787-7729