Emera selects CGI as IT partner

HALIFAX, NS -- - CGI Group Inc. (CGI), a global leader in information technology (IT) and business process services has announced the signing of a seven-year, CDN$39.3 million outsourcing contract with Emera Inc.'s two wholly- owned subsidiaries - Nova Scotia Power and Bangor Hydro-Electric.

As part of this agreement, CGI will assume responsibility for all infrastructure services including data centre, help desk, network and desktop services.

Emera is an energy company operating in Northeastern North America.

"Nova Scotia Power and Bangor Hydro-Electric are regulated utilities that need to reliably deliver electricity to our customers at the best possible price. To do this, we need to continuously seek ways to be more efficient. We believe we have found an IT partner with the expertise to very quickly provide us with the kind of solutions that we need," said Chris Huskilson, chief operating officer of Emera.

Michael Roach, CGI's president and chief operating officer added: "We are pleased to welcome Nova Scotia Power and Bangor Hydro-Electric as new clients. Our goal is to work together to enhance their existing IT capability by streamlining their operations ultimately resulting in improved competitiveness. We are committed to growing our presence in Nova Scotia and this win clearly represents a solid step forward in our efforts to further expand our services in Halifax."

CGI employs over 350 professionals in Atlantic Canada, most of whom are dedicated to clients in the insurance, government, utilities and financial/credit union sectors.

In Atlantic Canada, CGI has created a niche with its single-window-access solution (government-on-line), component based development, services to credit unions and project management expertise. CGI has offices in Halifax, Saint John and Fredericton.