VICTORIA, June 20, 1998 -- John Manley, Minister of Industry, today launched an exciting new electronic commerce project for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities and social service non-profit organizations (NPOs). Entitled Community Storefronts, the project introduces the SME community to doing business on the Internet. Participants will learn how to use electronic commerce to market and sell their products and services while consumers will be able to shop and donate to their favourite charities on-line.

The eight month project is led by a consortium of private sector companies including Touch Net Canada, Strategic Profits Inc., GE Capital Information Technology Solutions and the Royal Bank of Canada. Pilots will be located in four Canadian communities through Community Access Program (CAP) sites in the North Okanagan region of British Columbia, Lanark County in Ontario, Joliette, Quebec, Cape Breton in Nova Scotia and Web Networks, Canada's only national non-profit Internet Service Provider.

"Electronic Commerce (E-Comm) is recognized as an important new tool in the global, knowledge-based economy, and a foundation for future growth and job creation," said Minister Manley. "Now organizations participating in the project can broaden their markets without geographic limitations, and consumers will benefit through secure transactions, quick response, and wider choice. Moreover, the pilot project supports the VolNet initiative and the expansion of CAP to urban sites."

Speaking on behalf of the Consortium, GE Capital Information Technology Solutions' Dennis Finnegan, Vice President and General Manager, BC Region, added "the members of the consortium are delighted to be participating in this innovative project. Each organization brings a needed component: DoP@y eCommerce Solutions has the accredited payment system; Strategic Profits Inc. provides the e-commerce business model training and the Shop Site Pro shopping cart license through their partnership with I-central; GE Capital Information Technology Solutions offers a central, secure hardware system; and the Royal Bank of Canada reconciles VISA merchant transactions and supports the authorization of most major credit cards."

As the project begins, consumers can buy 750 products and services on-line with 1,750 more to come. Contributions can also be made to 60 Canadian NPOs. Economic spin-offs from this Government partnership with the private sector will help position Canada as a world leader in electronic commerce. The experience and testimonials provided by Community Storefronts participants will encourage other SMEs and NPOs to seek out E-Comm Service Providers across the country to help them do business on line, said Minister Manley.