READERS MIGHT HAVE sensed with my column Thursday that I am taking the issue of getting broadband to low-income families very seriously. I called the fact that we have nothing in Canada to help the poor get broadband in their homes embarrassing, especially when compared to the ambitious and comprehensive Connect 2 Compete program that was launched in the United States this week by the Federal Communications Commission, numerous cable companies and other firms.
Then, reporter Peter Nowak reports today that Canada is the ONLY country in the G8 with no assistance available for low income households to get broadband. With that knowledge, we look even worse.
In the wake of my column yesterday, I asked for comment from Rogers, Shaw, Bell, Telus and Videotron, along with Industry Canada, the CRTC and Heritage Minister James Moore.
So far, Videotron has responded by saying they will not comment on the issue (and I responded immediately, telling their spokesman that answer isn't good enough). I have heard back from Rogers and Shaw, who have said they will have comment for me, soon. I haven’t heard back yet from Bell or Telus. A CRTC spokesperson told me the Commission is of the opinion that this sort of thing should come from the federal government, I have not heard back from Minister Moore (who I tried a direct message with via Twitter) and Industry Canada responded with this bit of spin so insipid, I wonder if they actually read what I wrote:
“The national Computers for Schools (CFS) program plays an important role in supporting access to technology in Canadian schools, public libraries and non-profit learning organizations. Launched in 1993, this federal government-led initiative operates in cooperation with all provinces and territories, the private and volunteer sectors to provide refurbished computers, helping Canadian students — including those from low income families — gain greater access to computer technology so that they can develop the skills needed to thrive in a knowledge-based economy. To date, CFS has refurbished and donated over 1,100,000 computers in collaboration with other federal, provincial and territorial departments and the private, non-profit organizations and volunteer sectors.
The Broadband Canada Program is providing access to telecommunications infrastructure, which is helping to create the conditions for growth and job creation. It also makes available broadband access (defined as 1.5 megabits per second) to previously unserved and underserved households at a reasonable cost to the consumer. The Program is helping to provide access to skills development and opportunities to contribute, to innovate and to succeed in the digital economy. Broadband Internet access brings important economic and social benefits: it opens the door to information, services and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. For unserved and underserved Canadians, particularly those in rural and remote areas, the program represents an important improvement in service.
With these investments, Industry Canada has a long history of helping Canadians access the internet and develop important digital skills.”
However, I have seen the House of Commons’ Question Period many times, so I know this sort of bumph is the automatic response from politicos. So, I responded thusly:
“Sorry, but that's pure boilerplate. This answer and the programs you reference are not good enough. The US has similar programs and both the FCC and the tech industry there recognized this week with the launch of Connect 2 Compete that they needed far more. We need a program like this in Canada and that was the point of my column. The two programs you referenced are not enough.
Connect 2 Compete isn't even costing any American taxpayer dollars. This is a question of someone taking the leadership reins and the Industry Minister would make a fine candidate.
The Broadband Canada program only serves to get networks to rural regions and does nothing to bring the costs of connectivity down for low income families.
And as for the computers for schools program, that does not get needed technology into the hands of low income Canadians in their homes.
Neither address the educational gap also being filled by the Americans with Connect 2 Compete.
The programs you referenced do not fill the crucial connectivity gap my story examined, so I would like to ask the minister directly what, the federal government is going to do to lead, given that we are the only G8 country with no such broadband plan for low income citizens?”
This is an issue I do not intend to let go of and I hope the Minister's office is taking it as seriously as I – and others – am. Low income Canadians need help to get broadband access in their homes and there is no reason at all, other than a complete lack of leadership on the issue, that this can’t happen.
And just because I have slammed the government here doesn’t mean that’s where the leadership must come from. Any of our ISPs can claim this issue as theirs and force a national push.
We just need the right person in the right job to want to do it. Believe me, there will be more to come on this.
If you’re on Twitter, RT what you see tagged #CDNbb4all as those of us behind this issue – like the writer Peter Nowak and telecom consultant Mark Goldberg – are building momentum.
