Strategic Microelectronics Consortium and ITAC to Unite

MONTREAL, Nov. 26 -- The Strategic Microelectronics Consortium (SMC) and the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), announced they will merge as of Jan. 1, 2002, with all legal and financial details to be concluded by April 30.

Under the agreement, the 43 members of SMC will join ITAC. To accommodate the needs of the microelectronics sector, ITAC has created the Strategic Microelectronics Council and guaranteed council members continuity of services they enjoyed under SMC, in addition to ITAC benefits.

"The microelectronics, photonics and optoelectronics sector is a powerhouse in Canadian technology," said Everett Anstey, ITAC Chair and president and CEO of Sun Microsystems Canada. "The SMC members have a strong tradition of entrepreneurship and success in a highly competitive global marketplace. They have a unique perspective on the wealth-creating potential of innovation and technology. We are proud to be able to represent that perspective before our stakeholders in the private and public sectors."

Prior to the agreement, ITAC's 300 member companies included only three microelectronics companies. The agreement bolsters that contingent by 40 members.

A key public policy priority for the Canadian microelectronics sector is the shortage of highly qualified people in Canada to fuel the growth the sector is forecasting. In 2000, a group of microelectronics, photonics, opto- electronics, wireless and radio-engineering companies launched the eMPOWR campaign. eMPOWR aims to triple the number of highly qualified graduates in Canada in these disciplines by 2005. ITAC joined the eMPOWR campaign in February to provide communications and government relations assistance.