Canada Membership Base of 100,000 Calls for Federal Government to Focus on IT
TORONTO - Nov.5, 2009 - CIPS and the National Association of Computer Consulting Businesses Canada (NACCB Canada) announced a strategic partnership designed to strengthen the ICT industry in Canada as well as engage senior government officials at all levels on a regular basis.
With the endorsement of the NACCB business principles, CIPS and NACCB have a combined membership reach of over 100,000 voting and taxpaying families across Canada. Both organizations are calling on the Federal and Provincial Government to target IT infrastructure, SR&ED and eHealth programs in order to make IT the catalyst for economic recovery and put Canadians back to work in 21st century high tech jobs.
"We would like to ensure that as we emerge from the past year of economic turmoil, that the IT industry continues to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem," says Greg Lane, I.S.P., ITCP, and CCITP Chair. "Legislation like Bill 139 indicates that the voice of ICT is not being heard, and we want to change that."
The leadership of both organizations is calling on their members to support candidates who make ICT a top priority. CIPS and NACCB will also work to increase the number of highly skilled candidates in the ICT industry with joint scholarships designed to promote enrolment in Computer Science programs, education initiatives for ICT practitioners, and provide advice for companies seeking to access SR&ED funding.
"We want to address the ICT issue in Canada in two ways," says Frank McCrea, President, NACCB Canada. "First, it's important we let the Government know that our members believe that the entire country benefits from a strong IT sector and that IT will help lead this country out of this recession. Second, we want to use our combined resources to help those currently in the ICT business get access to available stimulus funds they may not be aware of like SR&ED."
