Heading Off the Year 2000 Problem

The province of Nova Scotia is putting the bite on the millennium bug.

"The government of Nova Scotia will be open for business and functioning efficiently after New Year's Eve 1999," said Bruce Holland, Minister responsible for the Technology and Science Secretariat.

Mr. Holland outlined the government's progress in dealing with the year 2000 problem in his keynote address to a symposium hosted by the Information Technology Industry Alliance on Feb. 13.

The symposium gave Atlantic Canada business owners the opportunity to learn about the year 2000 millennium bug and receive guidance on where to find help. The program included panels and presentations on the business, financial, accounting and legal issues of the Y2K problem.

Mr. Holland said the government first recognized the potential problems of the year 2000 bug five years ago. Steps were taken at that time to ensure that major computer applications developed by the government were year 2000-compliant.

In his address, Mr. Holland referred to the Auditor General's report released last Wednesday. The report said, "The Nova Scotia government is to be commended for the steps which it has already taken or planned to address this issue."

The report also indicated the Department of Health is well along in the process of monitoring and supporting the year 2000 efforts of Nova Scotia hospitals and regional health boards.

"The No. 1 priority of this government is the health and safety of Nova Scotians," said Mr. Holland.

The Technology and Science Secretariat has taken charge of the provincial government's millennium strategy by establishing a year 2000 project office. The office will provide direction and information for government departments.

Mr. Holland said the information technology industry employs 30,000 people in Nova Scotia and is a major contributor to the province's economy. He said it's important for the government to work with industry to reduce the risk posed by the year 2000 problem.

"I am delighted the Technology and Science Secretariat is cooperating with the Information Technology Industry Alliance to take a leadership role in presenting the facts to industry and the public," said Mr. Holland.

Experts claim computer systems worldwide face a potential crisis when their internal clocks turn over from the year 1999 to 2000. Systems may crash because they can't recognize the 00 that will appear in a program's two-digit date field.