Digital Canada 150
Partnerships between First Nations organizations and government agencies are challenged given a lack of clarity over the scope and strategy for broadband development. A national study undertaken in 2010 found that First Nation regional technology organizations felt disconnected from the policy process, and lacked voice in decisions around broadband deployment and implementation. To read about these issues, download Putting the ‘last-mile’ first: Re-framing broadband development in First Nations and Inuit communities.
One challenge raised by participants in that study was the lack of a coordinated national digital strategy on the part of the federal government. That issue may be improving. In April 2014, the government released its long-awaited digital strategy, called Digital Canada 150. The Digital Canada 150 website provides a broad outline of the government’s approach to building digital infrastructure, addressing issues of consumer rights and security, and leveraging digital technologies for economic development. Watch a short video from CBC News about the launch of the strategy.
Not all commentators support Digital Canada 150. For example, law professor Michael Geist called it unambitious, particularly when compared to similar initiatives in countries like the U.S. and Australia. In a previous article, Geist writes that 10 years ago, Canada was the top ranked country in the world for the breadth and sophistication of its electronic government services. Over time, we lost this integrated, strategic approach. This led the Auditor General of Canada to report that we lack strategic vision in this area.
In the years leading to the release of Digital Canada 150, First Nations put forward their own national policy proposal: the e-Community Strategy.
Partnerships between First Nations organizations and government agencies are challenged given a lack of clarity over the scope and strategy for broadband development. A national study undertaken in 2010 found that First Nation regional technology organizations felt disconnected from the policy process, and lacked voice in decisions around broadband deployment and implementation. To read about these issues, download Putting the ‘last-mile’ first: Re-framing broadband development in First Nations and Inuit communities.
One challenge raised by participants in that study was the lack of a coordinated national digital strategy on the part of the federal government. That issue may be improving. In April 2014, the government released its long-awaited digital strategy, called Digital Canada 150. The Digital Canada 150 website provides a broad outline of the government’s approach to building digital infrastructure, addressing issues of consumer rights and security, and leveraging digital technologies for economic development. Watch a short video from CBC News about the launch of the strategy.
Not all commentators support Digital Canada 150. For example, law professor Michael Geist called it unambitious, particularly when compared to similar initiatives in countries like the U.S. and Australia. In a previous article, Geist writes that 10 years ago, Canada was the top ranked country in the world for the breadth and sophistication of its electronic government services. Over time, we lost this integrated, strategic approach. This led the Auditor General of Canada to report that we lack strategic vision in this area.
In the years leading to the release of Digital Canada 150, First Nations put forward their own national policy proposal: the e-Community Strategy.
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