Provincial Treasurer of Prince Edward Island Pat Mella stated she is very pleased with the growing interest in the program and encourages Islanders and other Maritimers alike to tune-in.

"Over the past years, ISLAND FOCUS has been recognized with numerous awards for production quality and its merits as a strategic corporate communications vehicle," said Minister Mella. "A regional broadcast will give viewers in our neighbouring provinces the opportunity to meet the people of Prince Edward Island and learn more about the interesting places and programs of the province.

Admittedly, the Minister herself claims to always learn something new about the province when watching. "It's (ISLAND FOCUS) quite an educational and interesting program, she added."

Brett Smith, EastLink's Director of Community Programming, says the company is excited about carrying ISLAND FOCUS on their regional grid for all subscribers. "Island Focus is an excellent showcase of the Prince Edward Island way of life," says Smith. "This move certainly supports our primary goal – to provide Maritimers with first-rate programming that is uniquely relevant to them."

ISLAND FOCUS originally began in 1995 as FOCUS ON RESOURCES, a half hour community cable television program in Prince Edward Island. Beginning October 17, 2001, the program will be available to more than 220,000 subscribers to EastLink Television in Nova Scotia, Sackville, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

The season premiere of ISLAND FOCUS will celebrate agriculture and food with a retrospective of 100 years of service for the PEI Department of Agriculture, Organic On-Farm Research, an Inside Small Business look at Connor Farms of Lorne Valley as well as a feature on recent updates to the Province's home heat tank regulations.

Weekly FOCUS TRIVIA winners have the chance to win lift passes to the Brookvale Winter Activity Park valued at $240 and provided by PEI Provincial Parks. The draw will take place December 7 , 2001 with the winner announced on the December 19, 2001 broadcast.

Viewers are invited to check out the ISLAND FOCUS website at www.gov.pe.ca/focus to monitor the weekly program guide, meet on-air personalities and crew members, view segments on-line, enter weekly trivia contests and send feedback about the program.

ISLAND FOCUS is the provincial government's community outreach television program delivering valuable information about the programs and initiatives that impact the people and communities of Prince Edward Island. For more information, please contact Verna Lynne Weeks at (902) 368-6322 or send a message to focus@gov.pe.ca.