In testimony before the parliamentary industry committee yesterday, Minister Tony Clement said that access to the Internet is fast becoming a crucial part of social and economic fabric of the country.
I agree. It was 3 years ago last week that I first wrote about the need to be more inclusive, giving birth to the idea that has become a One Million Computers initiative.
Maybe Canada needs to look at targeting broadband subsidies based on income, regardless of where people live. There is a gap in the level of connectedness among lower income Canadians in urban markets as well. Maybe it is time to consider making PCs and broadband part of our social welfare system.
I asked then whether the government would be considering a broadband tax credit in its next budget.
It is budget time in Canada once again. Will the government introduce targeted programmes and incentives for low income Canadians to participate more fully (and more digitally) in this crucial part of the social and economic fabric of Canada?
Mark: the issue of telecom services subsidies or user tax type incentives has been discussed or hoped for since we brought up in the early 1990’s as part of CBTA’s mandate to help busineses and consumers. (We called them ‘telecom food coupons’ back then). Wonder how we as an industry and as business customers can get the Canadian government to understand how important it is for ALL Canadians to have not only high speed internet access, but to also have access to a computer, and know how to use it. Perhaps this will also help us increase our overall productivity numbers, and become a knowledge economy rather than resource based? Roberta Fox, FOX GROUP