Membertou, NS (November 19, 2004) - A ribbon cutting ceremony here today officially opened the new $7-million Membertou Trade and Convention Centre located in the heart of the Mi'kmaw community of Membertou. The facility was opened by Membertou Chief Terrance Paul, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, Grand Chief, Mi'kmaw Nation, Ben Sylliboy, and Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Cape Breton Growth Fund, the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and non-status Indians, along with the Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage for Nova Scotia. Speaking to a crowd in attendance at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre (MTCC) site, Chief Terrance Paul said, "This is an extremely dynamic time in our history. We are a strong and proud people and today, with the opening of Membertou's Trade and Convention Centre, we extend our hands and say to local Cape Breton business operators and fellow Canadians, Membertou is open for business, come and join us." The $7 million dollar MTCC celebrates a Mi'kmaw cultural theme and it will now be Cape Breton's premiere convention facility; a much-needed venue for a region recently ranked as the number two travel destination in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. "This facility is a fine example of the gifts, talents and skills that First Nations have to offer their local communities," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. "I am proud to say, the people of Membertou have embraced their values and beliefs in creating this convention centre and are ready to share their heritage with fellow Canadians." "The development of Membertou's 47,000 sq. ft., convention facility represents a momentous advance in the strategic economic infrastructure, not only for the aboriginal economy but also for the entire Atlantic Canadian region," stated Membertou CEO, Bernd Christmas. "In opening this facility today, we demonstrate the economic and cultural energy of our people and stand proud in providing Atlantic Canada with a culturally distinct venue that is suitable of welcoming the world." "The Government of Canada is proud to support projects that celebrate the heritage of Canada's unique cultures and invest in the future," said Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner. "This world-class convention centre will be an economic generator for the area, serving both the First Nations community and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality." "This new facility combines business, culture and heritage under one roof and has tremendous potential for the community of Membertou," said Rodney MacDonald, Nova Scotia's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Nova Scotia is a proud supporter of this world-class facility that will highlight the heritage and culture of the First Nations community." The new 47,000 sq. ft. MTCC contains a 10,000 sq. ft. Great Hall, named after the Mi'kmaw legend, Kluskap. The Kluskap Great Hall and many of the additional five meeting rooms have video teleconferencing technology, smart boards and other state-of-the-art conference services and amenities. Fully equipped with full performance sound and light, the Great Hall can also double as an entertainment venue able to accommodate up to 850 people. The five additional meeting rooms provide additional flexibility and space for up to 525 people. The catering kitchen can accommodate banquets for groups of up to 550 people, in addition to servicing the meeting rooms and the full-service 150-seat restaurant, Mescalaro's Steakhouse. Numerous Mi'kmaw cultural elements can be found throughout the MTCC. Mi'kmaw museum showcases celebrate the culture and development of the Membertou community and each of the facility's meeting rooms is named after various Mi'kmaw characters and legends. The MTCC will house the recently announced Aboriginal IT Centre and it also plans to open a Petroglyph's gift shop, selling authentic Mi'kmaw Crafts. Design and Project Management of the MTCC was by Membertou's Kukwes Consulting. The total cost of the facility is $7 million. Membertou has invested over $2 million in the project. The CBGF invested $2.1 million by way of a non-repayable contribution, while ECBC is providing an additional $840,000 through ACOA's Business Development Program and the Strategic Community Investment Fund. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada also assisted with the project, providing $2 million through its Marshall funding which is designed to build a more diversified Aboriginal economy on the east coast and Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) has contributed $300,000. The centre has created 30 full-time jobs and 57 part-time jobs, in addition to the 50 jobs created during the construction phase. Membertou, a Mi'kmaw community of 1,067 located within Sydney, Nova Scotia, became the first indigenous government to become ISO 9001:2000 compliant. In 2002 Membertou opened its corporate office in Halifax, NS in order to pursue business opportunities with progressively minded companies that share its commitment to the principles of conservation, sustainable development, innovation and success. The CBGF is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia and has a mandate to assist in the transition of the Cape Breton economy. ECBC offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area. - 30 - For additional information contact: Nicola Parker Communications - Membertou (902) 471-6538 Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 Office of Rodger Cuzner MP, Cape Breton-Canso (902) 992-6756 Tom Peck, Communications Office of Rodney MacDonald Minister of Tourism Culture & Heritage (902) 424-1593 Patricia Ellis Communications Officer INAC (902) 661-6232 D.A. Landry Communications, ECBC (902) 564-3617
