Policy: Northern Telecommunications Rehabilitation ?

Abstract

Internet in isolated communities, especially in the Canadian North, is expensive and limited. With the end of the Community Access Program, seed funding is now gone for a number of communities. Like the railway of the 19th century, the internet and modern telecommunications can link the country and make the distances between our citizens seem smaller. It is also a platform for entrepreneurship and job creation in small communities, not to mention an invaluable tool for education. To that end, the OYL will urge the Liberal Party of Canada to push for a Northern telecommunications strategy to expand infrastructure and improve access, both at community access points and in homes, and to provide training and education. This would be done in partnership with private industry, sourced through an open, transparent, and competitive bidding process.

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Federal

Northern Canada Telecommunications Rehabilitation

Trevor LaForce | Ottawa West-Nepean Young Liberals

WHEREAS modern internet and communications technologies are powerful tools in education;

WHEREAS isolated communities in the Northern provinces and the territories, especially Nunavut, are frequently without access to broadband internet access;

WHEREAS the availability of internet and communications technology provides tools for entrepreneurship, new innovation, and job creation;

and WHEREAS the end of the Community Access Program will cause disruptions in staffing and services in Northern community access points;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ontario Young Liberals urge the Liberal Party of Canada to adopt a renewed Northern telecommunications plan as part of its platform.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT such a telecommunications plan would involve an expansion of the available infrastructure and an affordable cost to communities and individuals for both community access points and in-home service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any contracts awarded for the expansion of northern telecommunications infrastructure be done via an open, transparent, competitive bidding process.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this plan would provide funding to communities for training programs and grants for improved technical education in schools.

Source: http://ownyljloon.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/policy-northern-telecommunications-rehabilitation/

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