EDS Canada to Create 900 Jobs in Sydney, Nova Scotia
March 31, 2000
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today joined Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm, the
Federal Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia, the Honourable Bernie Boudreau,
and Sheelagh Whittaker, President and CEO of EDS Canada to announce the
establishment of EDS Sydney Centre, a contact centre that will create up to 900
full- time jobs in Sydney over the next four years.
The Centre, which is to be operational this summer, will support EDS's
information technology clients throughout North America. The bulk of its
activity will be handling inbound customer service enquiries by telephone, fax,
e-mail and internet.
"This investment brings 900 "e"-business jobs to Cape Breton
and makes Cape Breton a player in global "e"-business as never
before," said the Prime Minister. "The Cape Breton economy of the 21st
century will be built on investments like this one - that bring good jobs in a
global marketplace fuelled by the hard work and determination of the people of
Cape Breton."
"New jobs and new economic opportunities in a new industry have been too
long in coming to this part of Nova Scotia," said Premier Hamm. "The
people of industrial Cape Breton will turn their economy around, given a chance.
This announcement today is a good first step in providing that chance."
"Today's announcement puts Sydney squarely on the global stage, as the
region will now be seen as a premiere supplier of call centre services,"
said President and CEO of EDS Canada Sheelagh Whittaker. "EDS customers,
major global corporations in telecommunication, manufacturing and financial
services, will come to rely on this centre for rapid and responsive support. The
customer service professionals here will be trained and equipped with
cutting-edge Web and wireless technologies. And the EDS Centre itself will be
nothing short of a showcase, featuring the latest thinking in both technology
and customer service processes."
"The Government of Canada is committed to working with various partners
in order to address the economic conditions on Cape Breton Island," said
the Honourable Bernie Boudreau, Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia. "EDS
Canada, a leader in the information technology service industry, is bringing
good jobs to Cape Breton and, in the process, helping to diversify and grow our
local economy."
The $32.2 million in start up costs of the EDS Sydney Centre will be financed
by:
EDS Canada - $19.2 million Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC)
conditional contribution based on job creation up to - $6.0 million
provisionally repayable contribution - $7.0 million
The ECBC provisionally repayable contribution will come from the $68 million
Economic Adjustment Fund established by the Government of Canada as part its
response to the restructuring and privatization of the Cape Breton Development
Corporation (DEVCO). In addition, the Province of Nova Scotia will provide up to
$8.4 million in the form of payroll rebates on the projected payroll of $103
million if the company meets and maintains its job targets.
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For further information:
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
Nicole Loreto EDS Canada Tel: (613) 236-9734
Laura Lee Langley Economic Development & Tourism Tel: (902) 424-0927
D.A. Landry Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation Tel: (902) 564-3617
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