[Advisors] ltr for Tony Clement
Marita Moll
mmoll at ca.inter.net
Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:52:11 -0500
Well, I saw this as a letter from TC (rather than directly from your
area). I thought that you might then use it as an attachment to a
cover letter expressing your local concerns (again).
We don't know if he (Clement or one of his advisors) will meet with
us (TC) here in Ottawa. He might, though, agree to meet with you
folks at the local constituency office -- at least he should.
This strategy, I hope, gives us 2 kicks at the can.
Marita
At 03:46 PM 04/01/2012, you wrote:
>Good letter, I'll get my Board of Directors chair to sign it. I would also
>be interested in attending such a meeting if it is arranged. I might also
>have a board member that can come.
>
>Lynda Rickard, Executive Director
>Technology Alliance Group for Kawartha Lakes
>50 Mary St. W., (front)
>LINDSAY, ON K9V 2N6
>(705) 878-9261
>(800) 407-6419
>Focused on Helping People
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: advisors-admin@tc.ca [mailto:advisors-admin@tc.ca] On Behalf Of Marita
>Moll
>Sent: January-04-12 3:21 PM
>To: advisors@tc.ca
>Subject: [Advisors] ltr for Tony Clement
>
>
>I have adjusted the letter to direct it specifically to Clement. Don't miss
>the cool "Clement" quote towards the end. Norah and Lynda, will this work
>for you? Would one of you attend this meeting -- if we get one?
>
>
>Dear Minister Clement
>
>
>In the early days of the Internet (1994), the Canadian federal government
>initiated a program that supported community based Internet access. You are
>very familiar with this program called CAP. We know it plays an important
>role in your riding. We also know it needs complete rebranding. Access,
>though still important and necessary, is no longer what drives this program.
>Rather, it is its role as an incubator of community innovation and ICT
>skills training that provides value. It is very cost-effective, but still
>needs some basic level of support to achieve the stability necessary to run
>such programs.
>
>We know there is a feeling, in the policy community, that the CAP program is
>ready to be (or has already been) absorbed into the library community. We
>would like to assure you that this is absolutely not the case. To begin
>with, in the context of CAP delivery, the term "library" has never been
>clearly defined. Libraries can be large, urban and full-service or tiny
>rural satellite outposts staffed on a part-time basis. In addition, they
>are often unable to take advantage of the CAP-YI program due to existing
>collective agreements. They may provide public access, which is still
>important and necessary in many areas, but without youth interns, their
>ability to provide IT skills training or community economic development
>initiatives is severely limited.
>
>Here are a few reports describing the situation in various areas:
>
>. The "CAP site/library model" simply is
>not representative of the reality in Quebec. In last year's list of CAP
>sites released by Industry Canada, there were only 20 registered libraries
>among 634 CAP Sites from multiple Quebec networks.
>. In Nunavut, 12 out of our 24 CAP sites
>in libraries. But these sites function independently of the library system
>with totally separate funding streams. If CAP funding disappears, there
>would be no youth interns to teach people at these sites, no computer
>upgrades and no IT support.
>. In Saskatchewan, the 204 non-library CAP
>sites have been providing internships for 10 years - a wealth of job
>training for young Canadians.
>. Montreal-based Communautique reports
>that all 88 CAP sites using youth interns were located in community centers.
>There are no CAP sites located in libraries in Montreal that receive youth
>interns from CAP-YI. No youth interns = no ICT training capacity.
>. In PEI, none of the 38 CAP sites are in libraries.
>. In the Vancouver area, out of 102 sites,
>only 20 of them are in libraries.
>. First Nation communities have very large
>populations that depend on the CAP sites for basic tasks such as completing
>job applications and creating resumes. First Nation communities rarely have
>public libraries.
>. In Ontario, the TAG Innovation Centre
>(Lindsay), which operates a unique e-waste disposal service, is not a
>library and would close if federal funding were suspended.
>
>We want to point out is that local control of site locations and
>partnerships is a positive element of the CAP network which has allowed
>sites to become skills training, economic development engines. It should be
>promoted, not discouraged.
>
>. In Saskatchewan, the CAP sites in West
>Central and East Central regions (136 sites) provide leadership and
>resources for community and economic development. Projects in First Nation
>communities include a 2.5 million dollar Centre of Excellence, 3 worker
>co-operatives, development of small businesses on reserves, and business
>training and skills development programs.
>. In Nova Scotia, although all public
>libraries are part of the CAP network, CAP funding goes directly into
>community development projects at the local level, supports non-library site
>development, and provides youth employment and ICT skills development
>especially in rural areas. It was CAP in some local areas that enabled
>municipalities to take part in Industry Canada's BizPal initiative.
>. In Nunavut, a full-fledged film industry
>has grown up from early programs offered at the Clyde River CAP site
>teaching residents how to handle new film technologies.
>
>Minister Clement, you were quoted in the Ottawa Citizen on January 4 saying
>you "would like to let citizens make more decisions on local matters, rather
>than having bureaucrats in government offices deciding what's best for
>communities." You called it "crowdsourcing". A program that uses the
>creativity and innovation in the community to achieve social and economic
>benefits the communities themselves have identified as important obviously
>follows that model. Closing down sites not connected to libraries will
>strangle creative community innovation activity growing out of these sites.
>This would be a step backwards in digital economy time.
>
>We hope you will agree to meet with us in January to discuss different
>models that could preserve the program. With a new focus on social/economic
>development and wealth creation, this program can continue to be a golden
>opportunity to "connect"
>with Canadians around technology in a cost effective way. We are committed
>to finding creative solutions to save this valuable program. We are asking
>for your help.
>
>Sincerely
>
>
>Gareth Shearman
>
>
>
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