The digital world is exciting and challenging.  My own use of the potential at my fingertips is very, very limited; but I have enough understanding of the concepts to see the irony of two communications received in the last couple weeks.

On one hand, I learn that the Feds are eliminating a program ensuring free Internet access to all Canadians by providing grants to public access computers (e.g. at libraries).  And then I received an invitation to a Business and Bandwidth Conference to discuss ultra high-speed broadband “as a catalyst for innovation, research and development and economic growth;” York Region business leaders, elected officials and Staff have been invited as YR needs to make an intervention as we are falling behind.

In the mid 1990s Community Access Program (CAP) was created to provide free Internet access to all Canadians and help eliminate the digital divide. Over the years, King Township Public Library (KTPL) has received on average $12,000 annually.  It has contributed to KTPL’s ability to provide members of our community free access to high-speed Internet as well as hardware, software and internet education courses. And the CAP has supported the upgrading of computer hardware and software to ensure our library services can keep pace with a rapidly changing technology and to assist disabled members.

At our May 14^th meeting Council endorsed a letter to Industry Canada opposing the decision to eliminate CAP.  And we are encouraging other municipalities to do same.

 I am very enthused about the upcoming mentioned conference.  Its objective is to develop strategies for building competitive advantages in Central Ontario and York Region and ensuring access to business, research and innovation.  There will be speakers from communities who are well on the way: some are much more urban (e.g. Waterloo, Stratford), some less so (e.g. Tillsonburg). From pre-reading I know that it will not be just about gigabytes and download speeds; rather it is about the Intelligent Community, the kind of community which can evolve when you have advanced communications infrastructure.