Québec City, Québec – Representatives from the Québec government, Microsoft Canada, Alphamosaik, CHUQ Foundation and the not-for-profit sector came together today to launch the Mother and Child Technology Centre, part of the Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids (CLICK) program at the Centre mère-enfant of CHUQ. The CLICK program helps children who are hospitalized frequently or for lengthy periods maintain a sense of normalcy by integrating technology into the hospital that will help them stay connected with the outside world.

The centre acts as a technology hub and houses Xbox® video game system consoles, wireless access, hardware and software donated by Microsoft to create an environment for children that enables them to connect with school, family, and friends. The portal environment will be developed on SharePoint by Alphamosaik.

“The CHUQ Foundation is very proud to have created the right conditions to support the CLICK project and to have been instrumental in finding the right partners to put this program in place, which plays such a vital role in improving the quality of life of the young patients hospitalised at the Centre mère-enfant,” said Mr. Michel Labbé, Chairman of the Board of the CHUQ Foundation.

The CLICK program at CHUQ is the second implementation of its kind in Canada and the first in Québec. Microsoft Canada and the Children’s Miracle Network launched the initiative in May 2005, at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, Ontario.

“Spending lengthy periods of time in the hospital can make a lot of young patients feel isolated,” said Phil Sorgen, President, Microsoft Canada. “Microsoft is in a position to provide these children with some of the technology they use everyday as part of their social networks. Hopefully this makes the hospital stay a little more bearable.”

“CLICK continues to have a tremendous impact on the lives of young patients who spend a lot of time in hospitals,” said John Hartman, Chief Operating Officer, Canada, Children’s Miracle Network. “Most importantly, it’s helping children to cope, which is why we want to make this program available to other children’s hospitals across the country.”

Microsoft Canada provided $500,000 in cash and software for the newly established CLICK program at the Centre Mère-enfant of CHUQ which includes:

·        Hardware and software (laptops, PCs, web, video and digital cameras, dance mats and Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system)

·        Consoles and games for Xbox, appropriate for various age groups

·        Microsoft® LifeCam

·        Technical support

·        Internet connectivity

·        Furniture (desks and chairs)

·        Employee support

·        The creation of an Internet portal, Sans Frontières.

About CHUQ

CHUQ is an institution that offers general, specialty and super specialty care to the clientele of the Greater Québec region and all of Eastern Québec. It seeks to attain the highest standards of quality and excellence in care and the organization of services to the public. By its leadership, CHUQ, in partnership with Université Laval, promotes the development of innovative approach aimed at improving public health. It is also a leader in teaching, research and evaluation of new technology.

About Microsoft Canada

Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca.