WHEREAS public libraries and community networks across Canada were the main initiators of the Government of Canadas Connecting Canadians agenda; AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada, provincial and municipal governments have systematically moved access to government information and forms to the Internet, often to the exclusion of other forms of access; AND WHEREAS access to the Internet is now a necessity for equal access to government resources and democratic participation; AND WHEREAS the Community Access Program CAP was developed to fund free public Internet access; AND WHEREAS according to the Statistics Canada 2003 Survey, 30 of British Columbians do not have access to the Internet, with this percentage being higher in rural areas due to decreased access to broadband; AND WHEREAS British Columbia Public Libraries and Community Networks received 2.7 million from CAP in 20042005, down from 5.2 million in 20022003; AND WHEREAS libraries are the main free Internet public access sites in Canada; AND WHEREAS community networks provide access to socially excluded communities, groups and individuals as well as test new community-based technologies; AND WHEREAS both libraries and community networks are major participants in overcoming the digital divide; AND WHEREAS the demand for free public access to the Internet continues unabated; AND WHEREAS demand for Internet access now includes training, assistance in printing and filling out important forms such as EI and support in Internet searching; AND WHEREAS we have been advised that Industry Canada will announce the termination of the CAP program; AND WHEREAS such cancellation will result in financial hardship for libraries and community networks, especially those in rural and poorer areas, resulting in an increase in the digital divide: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM urge the federal government to reconsider the termination of the CAP program and the creation of a program providing ongoing support for library and community networks for public access and training; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UBCM convey this resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for consideration.
INDUSTRY CANADA Letter of response to FCM Thank you for your letter of July 11, 2006, concerning the future of the Community Access Program CAP. I appreciate the many positive impacts that CAP has had since it was launched in 1994, and the valuable contributions of its initiatives throughout communities, such as its youth component. Industry Canadas flagship connectivity programs, particularly CAP and Computers for Schools, as well as the partnerships created over the years with other governments, community groups, social agencies, public libraries, schools and volunteer groups, have helped to steadily increase awareness and use of the Internet in communities across the country. The number of homes and businesses in Canada connected to the Internet has also increased dramatically. Nonetheless, we are aware that a digital divide still exists in Canada. The most recent General Social Survey from Statistics Canada noted that Internet use was affected by socio-economic factors and that some Canadians have less access to the Internet than others. It is for this reason that CAP was extended to March 31, 2007, and is now focused on supporting public Internet access for digital divide communities. Specifically, Industry Canada has directed support to CAP sites that serve Canadians most affected by this digital divide, namely those with low incomes and limited formal education, as well as senior citizens, rural residents, Francophones, Aboriginal persons, recent immigrants, and people with disabilities. Once again, thank you for sharing your views. Sincerely, Maxime Bernier