April 12, 2011.
Going into the election, one question that served to focus TCÕs concerns seemed to be:
We know our Internet
infrastructure is outdated. That's
a big problem for creating local jobs in communities. Prices too high; connections too slow; there are very few
businesses that don't need cheap fast broadband. Recognizing this, many countries have crafted national
strategies to create infrastructure that delivers 100 mbps everywhere. What will your party do about this
issue?
We
shaped the question that way, in part, because of our concern for open dialogue
on the creation of a national strategy for the uses of the Internet for socio-economic
development and political change. We also thought the reference to Òlocal jobsÓ
was a good hook. That question is
now dead. The publication of the
Conservative, Liberal and NDP Platforms, each including digital infrastructure
strategies, supersedes it. We now
know how candidates will answer.
They will say, ÒSee my PartyÕs Platform.Ó But the question has assumptions behind it that wonÕt be
satisfied by such an answer.
TC consistently expresses a set of core values for supporting daily life online including:
Here are those core values mapped to statements on the
digital economy included in Party Platforms
Telecommunities Canada: Core Values |
Conservatives: Digital Economy Strategy |
Liberals: The Digital Canada of Tomorrow |
NDP: Access to Broadband and a Robust Digital Economy |
1. Community
development |
No |
No |
No |
2.
Digital Inclusion |
Maybe[1] |
Maybe[2] |
No |
3.
Provincial e-development strategies |
No |
No |
No |
4.
Municipal open network control |
No |
No |
No |
5.
Internet governance ecology |
No |
Partly[3] |
Partly[4] |
6.
Open dialogue on use |
Consultation occurred on the National Digital Economy Strategy, but thereÕs no plan for an ongoing process |
The process for developing the ÒDigital CanadaÓ program is not stated |
No |
The Bloc QuŽbŽcois Platform does have a statement
addressing the need for provincial e-development strategies:
Ò16.2 Ensure the development of our regions: Access
to broadband Internet service is essential for economic development and
diversification of regional economies. The Bloc QuŽbŽcois request the
establishment of a plan for deployment of broadband in rural areas so that
almost all individuals have access to high speed Internet throughout the
inhabited territory of Quebec.Ó
That mapping illustrates a huge gap between TCÕs and the
PartiesÕ visions about the role of the Internet in social change. It suggests that a political climate in
which the benefits of community networking can be discussed does not yet exist. It suggests effective political action
on the part of TC requires much more than merely reframing a question for
candidates. TCÕs primary mandate,
its reason to be, is to share the practices of community networking. Now, more than ever, Canada requires
some kind of effective organization that can express the views, needs and
interests of digitally literate and community minded people to the political
parties, governments and the public at large. ThatÕs still a job for community
networks, whatever theyÕve become.
But itÕs a job that rarely gets done. How should TC revitalize itself in
order to address its primary task?
[1] The tabled 2011 Budget planned on Òalso renewing the Community Access Program for an additional year." However the policy context for that CAP reprieve wasnÕt clear.
[2] ÒA Liberal government will work with all partners to promote digital life skills and training, in particular for older Canadians and lower income families.Ó
[3] ÒTo ensure it fosters the uninhibited exchange that innovation requires, CanadaÕs Internet environment must remain open.Ó
[4] ÒWe will enshrine Ònet neutralityÓ in law.Ó ÒWe will rescind the 2006 Conservative industry-oriented directive to the CRTC and direct the regulator to stand up for the public interest ...Ó