Progress on digital literacy?

Back in April, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics issued its Fifth Report, entitled “Privacy and Social Media in the Age of Big Data“. Among its recommendations was a soft one on Digital Literacy: “The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to provide support to digital literacy programs.”

Last night, I saw the government’s response to the report:

Digital literacy and skills are at the core of what is needed for individuals to succeed in today’s online economy. In this regard, the government makes significant investments in skills development programs, including those that target digital literacy. For example, Budget 2011 announced that Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) would reallocate $60 million to support digital skills and enrolment in key disciplines, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

A number of important initiatives arise from the Budget 2011 reallocation. For example, Skills Link is dedicating up to $10 million annually over three years (2011–14) for projects to support digital skills development among disadvantaged youth. Digital Jobs of Tomorrow has received nearly $1 million for a project carried out by the Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow’s ICT Skills, a group of information and communications technology (ICT) industry leaders, in conjunction with the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC). In 2011, the project launched the CareerMash website and career awareness activities for schools and students to promote ICT career awareness. HRSDC also provided both core and project-specific funding to the ICTC to contribute to the development of a digitally skilled workforce and improved ICT labour market intelligence.

As well, up to $4 million over two years was committed for a digital skills competition to improve awareness of ICT-related education and training programs, while $9 million of the HRSDC Skills and Partnership Fund is being invested over three years to encourage and support the training and employment of Aboriginal people in the ICT sector.

In its March 28, 2013 Response to the Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, entitled Labour and Skills Shortages in Canada: Addressing Current and Future Challenges, the Government of Canada stated that ensuring that Canada has the skills and labour force it needs now and in the future is one of the greatest socio-economic challenges facing the country. It further recognized that this will require not only concerted action, but also innovative thinking, approaches and partnerships. In view of this, as announced in Economic Action Plan 2013, the government is taking steps to address these labour market challenges by partnering with provinces and territories, employers and other stakeholders to target skills development investments in high-demand areas.

The Response also recognized the shared responsibility for Canada’s labour market success, which requires multiple stakeholders to play important roles in this respect. Provinces and territories, which are responsible for education, have a central role to play in developing digital literacy and skills. The government will continue to work with its provincial and territorial partners to develop tomorrow’s digital workforce.

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the privacy of Canadians and fostering an environment that will enable individuals and businesses to participate, innovate and contribute to the growth of the digital economy.

Are we making progress on the release of a comprehensive digital strategy?

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