Very sad to hear Nick. Don't give up networking within your company just yet. Who knows what might stir up in four weeks.
The IT job market is very slow in Atlantic Canada as well. However, I have heard 'rumors' that CGI is going to increase thier staff here in the Charlottetown, PEI center. It currently only has about 150 people here but they just built a new building fro themselves that is capable of seating three times that number.
Of course moving to Canada is probably a more radical move than you are considering. Would feel bad if I didn't mention it though.
Just a rumor from a friend who works there. I understand that elsewhere in the world, they are cutting back. However, this might actually make sense. PEI is a much cheaper place to house employees than most of the big cities they traditionally have offices in. Lower wages, lower taxes, lower cost of living. All the cheap lobster you can eat!!!
