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Industry Canada Press Release ...

Government Ensures Support for the Community Access Program

Date: 2007-06-06

OTTAWA, June 6, 2007 --The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry, today announced that Canada's New Government will extend its support of the Community Access Program (CAP) by providing funding for 2007-08.

"Canada's New Government has pledged to work to improve opportunities for all Canadians," said Minister Bernier. "We are proud to contribute to a community-driven program such as CAP that has so many positive benefits across the country." 

A Government of Canada initiative, administered by Industry Canada, CAP provides Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively. It operates through the combined efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial governments, community groups, social agencies, libraries, schools, volunteer groups and the business community.

Under CAP, public locations such as schools, libraries and community centres act as "on-ramps" to the Internet for people who might not have computers or Internet access in their homes or workplaces. CAP also provides affordable access to skills training, job searching and government online services. The program supports the goals of Advantage Canada, the Government of Canada's plan to help all Canadians improve their quality of life, reach their full potential, and create strong communities.

"Federal funding for CAP will allow the CAP networks across the country to continue their valuable work in helping Canadians take advantage of emerging opportunities in the global knowledge-based economy," said Minister Bernier.

CAP is also complemented by the Community Access Program Youth Initiative (CAPYI), which provides employment opportunities each year to more than 1500 young Canadians between the ages of 15 to 30 at various CAP sites across the country.

For more information, please contact:

Isabelle Fontaine
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502

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Backgrounder - Community Access Program

The Community Access Program, (CAP) an Industry Canada initiative, provides residents of rural, remote and urban communities across Canada with affordable access to the Internet and the opportunities to develop the skills to use it effectively. Established in 1994, CAP provides Canadians with new ways to communicate, learn and do business in today's knowledge-based economy, with the broader aim of improving the economic, social and cultural well-being of communities across the nation.

CAP objectives include the following:

promoting public awareness of the benefits and opportunities of using information technology and services;

supporting online delivery of government programs and services;

helping citizens become better informed through the exchange of ideas and information;

providing training for individuals in the use of information technologies; and

conducting online learning and research.

The primary services provided are Internet access, access to email, and employment and job-related activities, followed by access to software applications, government information, administrative support/services, and education.

Although CAP serves all Canadians, its main focus is on those most affected by the digital divide. Statistics Canada's General Social Survey (2000) identified low-income Canadians, residents of rural areas, older Canadians, minority language communities, and Canadians with limited education as being less likely to use the Internet than the general population.

In 2005-06, an estimated 15 million visitors made use of CAP sites, with eight million repeat users.

CAP is managed by Industry Canada's national headquarters with delivery assistance from regional offices across the country. CAP is delivered through 88 networks, which also include six provincial and territorial partners that match federal funds.

CAP networks have become early adopters of technology and experts in the application of technology in a manner that meets broad-based community goals. The program has a significant impact at the grassroots level and has become an important community economic and social development tool. 

CAP sites contribute to community economic development by providing information and communications technologies (ICT) infrastructure, developing ICT skills among community members, improving social capital through the many partnerships needed to keep the sites functioning, and helping small businesses to use the Internet. CAP sites are also used for e-literacy training and to access formal and informal education over the Internet.

Justin Beaver, a grade 9 student at Nibnamik Education Centre is the recipient of the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers award from the Ministry of Citizenship & Culture.

Each year the Ministry acknowledges and honors youth in the province of Ontario for their contribution in their respective communities. 

Justin will be receiving one of  Ontario's  five offical medals on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at Queen's Park, Ontario.  The Honurable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario along with the Honorable Mike Colle, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration will be presiding over the ceremony.

Justin was nominated & elected as Junior Chief by the student body of Nibinamik Education Centre.

From Wawatay News Online ...

Kakegamic now a doctor
Wawatay News - May 31, 2007

Artist, educator, political leader and activist are all words that describe Goyce Kakegamic.

Now, doctor can also be added to that list.

The recently retired former Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief was awarded an honourary doctorate from Lakehead University May 25.

“I would like to begin by telling you how humbled and honoured I am by the recognition you have bestowed on me today,” Kakegamic said, in offering the convocation address. “I would like to thank all of those who played a part in the nomination and conferring of this award.”

Lakehead president Frederick Gilbert introduced Kakegamic, before helping him into his graduation robes on stage.

“(Kakegamic) is a multi-talented individual who has made important contributions in … art, education and political leadership,” Gilbert said. “Goyce is an accomplished artist whose work can be found in private collections around the world.

“Goyce has been a leader in promoting excellence in First Nations education.”

Kakegamic also spent three terms as deputy grand chief from 1997 to 2006.

“With quiet determination, he has worked at forging mutually beneficial partnerships between First Nation government and their municipal, provincial and federal counterparts.”

Kakegamic said it’s been a long journey to present day from where he was born and grew up in Keewaywin.

“I was brought up on the land with my extended family,” he said. “My parent’s generation was the last to have lived their lives in our traditional territory. My parents and grandparents were caring and loving and their lessons and values have carried me throughout my lifetime.”

Kakegamic is a residential school survivor. He doesn’t speak at length about the abuses he suffered, nor does he dwell on the past. Instead he rose above,  earning bachelor of arts and bachelor of education degrees from Lakehead in 1986.

Kakegamic said more work is necessary to create cultural understanding between First Nation people, urban society and vice versa.

“The challenges faced by all residents of northwestern Ontario cannot be effectively addressed by a continuation of Native and non-Native solitudes,” he said. “I firmly belief reaching accommodations and understanding between cultures in northwestern Ontario will be one of the most significant challenges as we begin this new millennium. I also believe very strongly multiculturalism requires that each of us gain an understanding and knowledge of other cultures to bridge the gap.”

James Thom — jamest@wawatay.on.ca