Why

Internet for everyone requires a national vision

Canada was once a leader in developing and using new technologies, promoting technological innovation in this field as well as implementing programs such as “Connecting Canadians” that supported the use of new technologies. A recent review of telecommunications policy found that “Canada has not remained at the leading edge of development and deployment in the two key growth areas of the telecommunications sector–broadband and wireless” [1].

Even in areas that are well served by broadband or wireless connections, many Canadians are unable to take advantage of the tremendous benefits of Internet-based communications tools. Whether for economic, physical, educational or social reasons, they lack the knowledge and skills to use them.

Digital inclusion is a national responsibility in the 21st century and we need a national strategy in place to address it.

Abundant broadband capacity at affordable prices is essential for economic growth.

Unfortunately, location is still a crucial factor in connectivity and economic growth outside of urban areas is suffering as a result. In 2005, only 58% of residents living in rural and small-town areas accessed the Internet, well below the national average. “This gap between rural and urban areas may reflect the interaction of other socio-economic factors, or it may represent other effects, such as the availability of broadband,” reported a Statistics Canada analysis of rural and small town Canada [2]. Where is our national strategy to narrow this connectivity gap?

High-speed Internet access is revolutionizing the way we do business, participate in government, and connect with the world.

The Internet has become a critical part of social, economic and political life. Household income should not be a major determinant of who is or is not included in the digital world. The Internet Use Survey, conducted by Statistics Canada, showed that “about 88% of adults with household incomes of $86,000 or more used the Internet last year, well above the proportion of 61% among adults living in households with incomes below $86,000″ [3]. Another survey showed that 56% of people who use community access sites have an annual household income of less than $26,000 or less [4]. Without local assistance programs in place, how can these people participate in the new on-line economy?

High-speed Internet access can connect people and communities that might not otherwise interact.

Educational level can be a major barrier to Internet use. The Statistics Canada Internet Use Survey found that “80% of adults with at least some post-secondary education used the Internet, compared with just under one half (49%) of adults with less education” [5]. Where is our plan to ensure no one in this country is disenfranchised through lack of access to new communications tools?

We need to restore Canada’s leadership in broadband access and effective Internet use.

Once a leader in Internet access, the OECD reported in 2007 that Canada had slipped from 2nd to 10th place on the list of connected nations with only 26.6 broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants. [6]

In addition, community-based programs directed to those whose access and ability to use the technology is limited are also struggling with financial support diminishing more and more each year. Federally-supported programs like Community Access Program (CAP) and its companion Youth Initiative Program (CAP-YI) form the backbone of a national network of community technology centers that help millions of people annually to incorporate new technologies into their lives. Of the 10,000 sites that were originally established, less than 4,000 remain.

We need a comprehensive and innovative approach that will bring open, high-quality, affordable Internet connections into every home, school, library and community center. We also need support for community programs that enable effective use of such tools. Such a project will require input from federal, provincial and local governments, businesses large and small, nonprofit organizations and public advocates, civic groups and schools.

There is no better time than now to come together behind a powerful message:

We want Internet for Everyone.

References

[1] Telecommunications Policy Review Panel. (2006) Final Report. Chapter 1. Industry Canada. http://www.telecomreview.ca/epic/site/tprp-gecrt.nsf/en/rx00055e.html

[2] Statistics Canada. (2007). “Study: Internet use in rural and small town Canada. The Daily, Thursday, September 13. http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070913/d070913d.htm. The most recent statistics available were collected in Industry Canada’s 2004 Canadian Internet Use Survey.

[3] Statistics Canada, (2006). “Canadian Internet Use Survey.” The Daily, Tuesday, August 15. http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060815/d060815b.htm

[4] Ekos Research Associates. (2004). Evaluation Study of the Community Access Program (CAP). Industry Canada. Audit and Evaluation Branch, January 16. http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/ae-ve.nsf/en/01420e.html

[5] Statistics Canada, (2006). “Canadian Internet Use Survey.” The Daily, Tuesday, August 15. http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060815/d060815b.htm

[6] Nowak, Peter.  Canada’s global edge in broadband dwindling.  CBC News, May 20, 2008. http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/05/20/tech-broadband.html