REGIONAL BUSINESS SERVICE CENTRE OPENS IN BRANDON

[CAWED]

REGIONAL BUSINESS SERVICE CENTRE OPENS IN BRANDON

BRANDON, Manitoba - A new Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
(C/MBSC) network site in Brandon will provide valuable information and
resources for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand a business. The
new C/MBSC network site is located in the Manitoba Industry, Trade and
Tourism office.

_Opening of the new business service centre was officially announced
today by the _Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for
Western Economic Diversification_, and by the _Honourable James
Downey, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism_.

"With this site linked to the _Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre_
network, entrepreneurs in the Wheatbelt region will be able to expand
their opportunities for economic success," said _Dr. Duhamel_. "The
federal government is pleased to support innovative projects such as
these that benefit all Manitobans, and Canadians."

"Small business owners are the backbone of our economy, and we are
pleased to participate in this expansion of the _Canada/Manitoba
Business Service Centres_ across _Manitoba_," said _Mr. Downey_. "This
new site makes business information and resources more accessible to
entrepreneurs in _Brandon_ and provides them with more tools to make
their businesses prosper."

"We've looked forward to having a centre in this region for a long
time," said _Al Gordon_, manager of the _Wheat belt Community Futures
Development Corporation_. "The centre will definitely be an asset to
local entrepreneurs and small businesses."

To be successful, entrepreneurs require access to education,
technology and business development resources. Through a cooperative
arrangement with the main _C/MBSC_ office in _Winnipeg_, clients
across _Manitoba_ will have direct access to a wide variety of
government and business information. Working in partnership with
community and industry organizations, the _C/MBSC_ sites will provide
expert business advice, counselling and support to aspiring
entrepreneurs and small businesses.

This expansion to rural areas will ensure a broader awareness of the
_C/MBSC_ and its services. An additional 17 centres will be set-up
throughout the province, located in _Community Futures Development
Corporation (CFDC)_ offices, entrepreneur centres, municipal
organizations, as well as youth, Aboriginal and technical centres.

The _C/MBSC_ was established in 1998 as a joint partnership between
the federal and provincial governments to consolidate similar services
into one central area. Its mandate is to serve small business by
making available the information they need to succeed in today's
business environment. The _C/MBSC_ is managed by _Western Economic
Diversification Canada_ and _Manitoba Industry, Trade and Tourism_.

Canada Business Service Centres provide timely, accurate information
and referral services to new or existing entrepreneurs free of charge
in all regions of the country. There are 12 CBSCs across _Canada_. By
March 1999, 370 access arrangements, much like this site, will be on
stream, helping to strengthen community economic development.

The regionalization of the _C/MBSC_ sites complements the national
_Canada Business Service Centre_ network which will see up to 3,700
sites set up throughout _Canada_ and the _Northwest Territories_. This
expansion of service is also one step closer to realizing the_
Government of Canada's 'Connecting Canadians'__ _initiative, which is
helping Canadians to become the most connected people on earth, ready
for the jobs and opportunities of today's knowledge-based economy.

_[3]Backgrounder_