Alcan Supports Medical Trust Fund
August 5, 2005 for immediate release
Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL)
announced today that it would contribute CAN$500,000 over seven years to the University of Northern BC’s (UNBC) Northern Medical
Programs Trust. This contribution is part of a cooperative strategy to recruit
physicians by educating them in the north, to ease northern BC’s shortage of
rural doctors.
“Alcan recognizes the
importance of the quality of local health care and the Northern Medical Program
is a significant, long term opportunity to train and keep physicians for
northern communities,” said Cynthia Carroll, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Alcan’s Primary Metal Group. “Alcan’s contribution is a step in the
right direction, and we invite other companies in joining us in reaching the
Medical Training Program’s goal of a CAN$6 million endowment,” she added.
Alcan’s contribution will help alleviate the financial
pledges of 19 northern municipalities, from Prince Rupert
to Prince George.
“The Northern Medical program
was developed to respond to the critical need faced by northern communities for
appropriate levels of physician care. That goal is shared by the industries in
northern BC, which rely on healthy and prosperous communities,” said UNBC
President Charles Jago. “We are delighted that Alcan shares our vision of what
the Northern Medical Program can contribute to the North.”
UNBC was established in 1990
to be a university in the north and for the north. Since starting course
offerings in 1992, the University has steadily expanded its degree programs.
The student body now numbers nearly 4,000.
Alcan is a multinational,
market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging. With
world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as
flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and
alumina processing, today’s Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its
customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs almost 70,000
people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions.