Save CAP

On Good Friday, April 6th, VCN and all other Community Access Program (CAP) networks across Canada received word that the Federal Government has decided to cease its funding of CAP. They have determined that they have "successfully met their objective to bring computer and Internet technologies to Canadians across the country", and have decided that this program was not a priority while trying to balance the budget.

While the letter indicated that the CAP Youth Internship (CAP YI) program will remain funded, it is still unclear how this will happen without federally funding CAP sites.

VCN and other CAP network administrators across Canada are hoping that CAP funding will be reinstated over the coming weeks, but given the current political climate we need your help to make that happen! Some of the other CAP networks have launched websites to aid our endeavours, which you may be interested in visiting and/or contributing towards. Please visit the following website to find out more about how you can help save CAP.

The Nova Scotia CAP Association has begun an information and advocacy website to save CAP: http://www.savecap.ca/ The Pacific Coast Network Association has begun a survey to gather feedback from CAP users about why CAP is still very much needed, which will then be used to advocate for the funding to be re-instated: http://forms.pcna.ca/email.htm

About CAP

Industry Canada's Community Access Program (CAP) gives thousands of Canadians free access to the Internet in places like schools, community centres and libraries. The aim of the program is to provide effective access to Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), such as the Internet and even basic computer access, to those who otherwise face barriers to access.

In Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Community Network (VCN) hosts the program that awards between 100 to 150 Non-Profits CAP funding. VCN also administers Industry Canada's Community Access Program Youth Initiative (CAPYI) which provides employment opportunities and work experience in order to facilitate Canadian Youth in their transition into the labor market. Twice a year, Youth are trained and placed in different CAP sites to assist the computer labs and offer the organizations support. The program also supports a small Tech Team to support these CAP locations providing web development and technical support.

The strength of CAP and CAPYI is in their provision of computer training, support, and resources to help community members to develop the skill set necessary utilizing ICTs and to provide assistance in navigating government websites and electronic forms effectively. According to Statistics Canada, the following groups are in highest need of services offered by CAP: Aboriginals, older Canadians, Canadians with low income or low education, Francophone, new immigrants, and people in rural areas. Therefore, the focus is primarily to assist in 'Bridging the Digital Divide'.

 

Links

2010 CAP YI Blog Read the 2010 CAP YI blog discussing the issues around the Digital Divide
The 2009 CAPYI Magazine Through a series of stories we highlight the struggles and successes of our CAPYI Interns, the CAP site users and operators
2009 CAPYI Magazine CAPYI (TEXT ONLY VERSION) Magazine.
CAP Archive Read about past CAP activities (2005-2007)
Success Stories Success stories of CAP in your neighbourhood (2005)
CAP Downsizing Read about Industry Canada's 2006 plans to downsize CAP
CAPYI Today Check out this year's new and shiny interns!
Tutor Board Read or post about tutoring possibilities.
Buy a Computer Where can you buy inexpensive computers and equipment? See our map.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Contact

Public Access Coordinator
E-mail cap2007 at vcn.bc.ca
Phone 604.257.3804
Fax 604.257.3808
Address Vancouver Community Network
411 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1X4