OTTAWA, February 18, 2005 -- A $1,649,127 competitive contract has been awarded to Bell Canada, of Ottawa, to operate the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC). Awarded on behalf of Industry Canada, this contract will be completed in March 2006 with the option to extend it by two additional years. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and Minister responsible for Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. "This contract will make it possible to continue to provide valuable and relevant business information over the telephone to entrepreneurs and small businesses in Ontario," said Minister Volpe. "This is another good example of federal-provincial partnerships. Small businesses are a powerful engine of growth for the Canadian economy." The contractor will hire, train and supervise the personnel, who will be responsible for providing information to entrepreneurs and small business clients. The COBSC is located in Toronto. Managed by Industry Canada, in partnership with the Government of Ontario, the COBSC is part of the national network of Canada Business Service Centres providing free access to relevant information on federal and provincial business-related programs, services, regulations, counseling and advisory services and tools, including workshops, for businesses in Ontario. Information is also provided online, by facsimile, via regular mailing and in-person at selected one-stop sites across Ontario. For information on contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada, visit www.merx.com, Canada's official, public sector electronic tendering service. - 30 - For further information, media may contact: Renée David Press Secretary Office of Minister Brison (819) 997-5421 Pierre Téotonio Senior Media Relations Advisor PWGSC (819) 956-2310 Steven Heckbert Office of Minister Volpe (613) 954-1064
