OTTAWA, April 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Internet Registration
Authority (CIRA) announced today that Canadian Internet users have registered
one million dot-ca (.ca) Internet domain names. As one of the world's most
wired nations, Canadians continue to use the Internet for personal and
business reasons in ever increasing numbers. Reaching the one million dot-ca
domain name milestone demonstrates Canada's strong Internet presence and the
popularity of Canadian websites.
Brent Krause of Calgary, Alberta, registered the one-millionth dot-ca
domain name, krauslaw.ca, and is using it for a website to promote his private
law practice. "I've recommended dot-ca domains in the past and dot-ca was my
first choice for my own legal practice," says Krause who has over 10-years
experience in intellectual property law.
The dot-ca domain name was established in 1987 by a group of volunteers
at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and transferred to CIRA in 2000.
In 1988 the first dot-ca domain name, upei.ca, was registered by the
University of Prince Edward Island. Since then dot-ca domain name usage has
grown at over 20% per year. This growth is remarkable considering that dot-ca
domains are reserved exclusively for Canadians. "Dot-ca represents Canada on
the Internet. A dot-ca domain name, website, or email address means you can be
confident that you are dealing with a Canadian or Canadian business online,"
says Byron Holland, President and CEO of CIRA.
Dot-ca now ranks as the seventeenth largest Internet domain name registry
when compared to generic domain names like dot-com and country specific domain
names like dot-uk (United Kingdom). "The registration of over one million
dot-ca domains is a testament to the great work being done by CIRA. On behalf
of the entire ICANN community, congratulations," said Dr. Paul Twomey,
President and CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN), the global organization that governs Internet domain names.
To thank Canadians for making a dot-ca their domain name of choice CIRA
has launched a celebration website, www.onemilliondomains.ca to highlight
dot-ca success stories. Dot-ca domain names are available through a network of
over 140 Canadian domain name registrars who also provide a range of Internet
solutions including website hosting, email service, and website design.
About CIRA
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is the
not-for-profit, member-driven organization that manages Canada's dot-ca (.ca)
domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's
Internet community, and represents the dot-ca registry internationally. CIRA
processes over 300 million requests per day to connect Internet users with
over one million dot-ca Internet addresses.
For further information: or to schedule an interview: Melisa
Durak-Buljubasic, Public Relations and Communications Specialist, (613)
237-5335 (ext. 294), Cell: (613) 219.5328, melisa.db@cira.ca
