CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO, July 24, 2007 — Canada's New Government today announced a partnership with McAfee, Inc., a leading dedicated security company, to provide the homeless and community shelters with better access to information-technology resources. As part of the Digital Inclusion Partnership Initiative, McAfee® is donating security technology and expertise to 450 homeless shelters, which will help to ensure the protection of sensitive information on clients and operations.
Gary Goodyear, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, joined Danielle Fournier, Canadian General Manager, McAfee, to make the announcement today at the Cambridge Shelter, one of the homeless shelters benefiting from these resources.
"Canada's New Government is proud to support community efforts to help homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless," said Mr. Goodyear. "Through the power of partnerships, such as the one we see here today between our government and McAfee, we are supporting the work of shelters and service providers across Canada."
McAfee's key contribution to the shelters will be subscriptions to McAfee VirusScan® Plus, which includes anti-virus, firewall and other security features, to help protect the critical information from the latest cyber threats.
"At McAfee, we are committed to being a responsible corporate citizen by partnering with government agencies and other organizations to address broader societal issues," said Danielle Fournier of McAfee. "Efforts to reduce and prevent homelessness in Canada include systems to collect sensitive information about homeless individuals and families from shelters across the country. McAfee, through our McAfee Cares program, hopes to make a difference in Canada by contributing our technology and expertise to the shelters in order to help keep that sensitive information safe from cyber threats."
"As a non-profit agency serving homeless individuals and families in Cambridge, we rely on community and corporate partnerships to help us deliver services and programs to assist our clients in moving forward," said Anne Tinker, Executive Director of the Cambridge Shelter. "McAfee is to be commended for the significant contribution they have made to our shelter and to other shelters across Canada through the Digital Inclusion Partnership for Homelessness. We are extremely grateful for their support."
The Digital Inclusion Partnership was developed by the Government of Canada's Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) Initiative, which collects and analyses data relating to shelter use in Canada for measuring progress that communities are making in the reduction of homelessness. The Digital Inclusion Partnership now consists of McAfee, Microsoft Canada, Industry Canada's Computers for Schools, TelecomPioneers of Canada, and the HIFIS Initiative of HPS.
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Media inquiries
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
McAfee, Inc.
David Eisenstadt
The Communications Group Inc.
1-800-267-4476 ext. 36
deisenstadt@tcgpr.com
Anne Tinker
Executive Director
Cambridge Shelter
519-624-9305
backgrounder
Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS)
The Government of Canada's new Homelessness Partnering Strategy began on April 1, 2007. It will provide $269.6 million over two years to help communities across Canada combat homelessness more effectively. The Strategy puts in place structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless move to self-sufficiency, and fosters partnerships aimed at achieving concrete results and enhanced sustainability.
For more information on the federal government's Homelessness Partnering Strategy, visit www.homelessness.gc.ca.
McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc., the leading dedicated security technology company, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that secure systems and networks around the world. With its security expertise and commitment to innovation, McAfee empowers home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers with the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously track and improve their security. For more information visit http://www.mcafee.com.
In Canada, McAfee, Inc. is headquartered at 675 Cochrane Drive, 6th Floor East Tower, Markham, Ontario L3R 0B8. Tel. 905-530-2363, with regional representation in Montréal, PQ; Ottawa, ON; Halifax, NS; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB and Vancouver, BC. McAfee's Consumer Product Division Research and Development facility is in Waterloo, ON.
NOTE: McAfee, and VirusScan are registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. McAfee Red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee brand products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks herein are the sole property of their respective owners. (C) 2006-2007 McAfee, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The Cambridge Shelter
The Cambridge Shelter, a 40-bed emergency shelter and a 20-unit transitional housing facility, provides shelter and support services to men and women over the age of 16 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The facility also provides these services to families in similar situations. Some of the support services they provide include: a medical clinic, laundry services, housing and employment counselling, and outreach services.
The Cambridge Shelter received seven copies of the McAfee Antivirus Plus, which have been implemented since October 2006.
The Cambridge Shelter, located at 26 Simcoe Street in Cambridge, Ontario, has been in operation since July 2000. The shelter recently moved to a new location in December 2005.
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