CIRA report: Grassroots organizations share gaps and solutions for Canada's internet

OTTAWA, June 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) released The gap between us: Perspectives on building a better online Canada, which captures the experiences, opinions and proposed solutions of 70 grassroots organizations across Canada working to make the internet better for Canadians. These organizations, working on the frontlines of Canada's internet, share a narrative of haves and have nots, including Canadians who lack the ability to get online or the skills to do so safely and effectively, as well as the organizations who serve them. Gaps and solutions are highlighted in internet infrastructure, access, digital literacy and funding.

Key Facts
Participants of this report provided the following insight:

Infrastructure

• Lack of competition and funding affects internet infrastructure expansion. Where infrastructure is in place, imbalances in quality often remain, particularly in rural and remote communities.
• Market forces drive infrastructure investment.
• Remote communities and small ISPs often bear the costs of first-mile connectivity.

Access

• Home internet access provides a richer online experience than for those who access the internet in a public space.
• For low-income families, low-cost internet options are often still too expensive and the quality, speed and size of data packages are insufficient.
• There are inequities in access in both rural and urban communities.

Digital literacy

• Seniors, new Canadians, Indigenous peoples and others are being digitally left behind, causing isolation and making it harder for them to access opportunities and services online.
• Learning the fundamentals of using the internet is a gap that exists, but with little attention or funding devoted to it.
• Lack of digital literacy in Canada increases vulnerability to cyber threats such as malware, phishing scams and the influence of "fake news."

Funding

• Funding parameters for internet projects are often complex or too precise, and the application process can be cumbersome.
• There is intense competition for a small pool of funding and trendy digital issues get more attention and funding than those will less visibility do.
• A lack of consistency in funding, along with short timelines for using it, impact project effectiveness.

The report includes 10 recommended solutions, gleaned from participants via a survey and follow-up interviews conducted in February and March 2018.

Executive and partner quotes
"Canada's internet is imperfect and CIRA's report highlights areas of need, as experienced by grassroots, Canadian organizations," said Byron Holland, president and CEO of CIRA. "The internet is a connector, literally through its pipes, but also by connecting people with opportunities. We need to do better and work together to ensure these opportunities exist for all Canadians."

"CIRA's report points to local innovation and ownership as a viable solution. Small organizations and community groups are bringing the internet to remote parts of Canada. The ideas, ambition and ability is all there, but local groups need support to get their projects off the ground," said Rob McMahon, assistant professor of communications and community engagement with the University of Alberta. He is also a co-founder of First Mile Connectivity Consortium, a national non-profit association of Indigenous technology organizations.

"Rural communities in Canada are a struggling with internet access, and unfortunately urban communities face access inequities as well. In Vancouver, there are dead zones where the internet doesn't work and there are people who don't have the devices or ability to connect at all. It's great to be able to talk about Canada's internet. Shining a light on challenges is an important first step toward real solutions," said Tracey Axelsson, executive director of the Vancouver Community Network, a not-for-profit ISP in Vancouver.

Additional resources

• CIRA's report, The gap between us: Perspectives on building a better online Canada, can be accessed at cira.ca/gaps.
• CIRA contributes to building a better online Canada through its Community Investment Program, which has provided $5.45 million to date. CIRA's latest round of grant recipients were announced on June 11th. Many of the projects CIRA funds are filling the gaps highlighted in the report.

About CIRA
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) manages the .CA top-level domain on behalf of all Canadians. A Member-based organization, CIRA also develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community, and represents the .CA registry internationally.

SOURCE Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)