[Advisors] response to budget consultation ques.

[James Van Leeuwen]

Fulfilling the Government's stated or implied objectives is almost entirely a matter of building capacity at the *community* level for social and economic innovation.

Social innovation has become the principal catalyst for economic innovation, and social innovation can only be driven effectively from the bottom up - not from the top down.

The most valuable role that local and senior governments can play is to incentivize and invest in leadership in social innovation at the community level.

This is how Germany has managed to get so far down the road in transitioning from an energy economy rooted in thermal and nuclear energy to one that is rooted in renewable energy.

Strategy came from the top down, leadership came from the bottom up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transition_in_Germany <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_transition_in_Germany>


At this juncture, I think it’s safe to assume that the Government already knows the following:

1) ICT and digital literacy are today’s most powerful catalysts for social and economic innovation, and Canada is falling behind;

2) Ample, accessible and affordable broadband has become essential to supporting such innovation;

3) A world-class digital strategy has become essential to maintaining Canada’s social and cultural relevance and economic competitiveness.


What the Government doesn’t seem to know is how to craft a strategy that will work with our kind of geographic realities (huge landmass) and market realities (incumbents).

For TC to be most effective in its advocacy, I think we should be focusing all of our attention on the critical role of community leadership in social and economic innovation, and what are the most effective ways to cultivate and support such leadership.

I think we should maintain a singular focus on these issues until there is a chorus loud and strong enough to command the attention of governments large and small.

JvL




> On Jan 22, 2016, at 3:13 PM, Marita Moll <mmoll at ca.inter.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Well, I am sure this would cause some headscratching -- I will try to insert by rewording.  Probably, at the federal level they don't do much municipal-speak.
> Marita
> On 1/21/2016 11:40 AM, Garth Graham wrote:> Somewhere in there, (probably in No.2?), we have to make it clearer that broadband is essential LOCAL infrastructure, and that the existing reliance on market-based primary telecommunications companies is NOT going to get us there.  Say something like…>> An effective national digital economy strategy will recognize that local/ municipal / community ownership of broadband infrastructure as a public utility is the only route to ensuring that communities are “smart” enough to take charge of their own digital futures.  The provision of municipally owned fibre as an open public utility will ensure that the community has the capacity to understand how ICT use can be used to bootstrap local development and to practice digital inclusion techniques to ensure that everyone benefits from the changes.>> GG>>>    >> On Jan 20, 2016, at 2:21 PM, Marita Moll<mmoll at ca.inter.net>  wrote:>>>> I have put together a few motherhood responses to the budget consultation questions -- mostly cribbed from the last Alternative Federal Budget paper that I contributed to because I don't have time to do anything else.  Please add, comment, delete.  Otherwise, I will just submit it. There is no deadline on the consultation page -- but it must be soon.>>>> ----------------------------------->>>> 1. In your opinion how can we better support our middle class?>> A national digital economy strategy is a vital part of federal policy that has been allowed to languish for too long. All Canadians will be supported by a committment to return to a leadership role in this sector. Growing evidence supports the connection between household income, jobs, and modern information and communications infrastructure. As Prime Minister Trudeau said in his speech to the Davos meetings, Canadians are resourceful. But the government must lead with a digital strategy to move the economy firmly into the 21st century.>> 2. What infrastructure needs can best help grow the economy, protect our environment and meet your priorities locally?>> Economic growth in the 21st century cannot occur without 21st-century tools. A program to support community-driven access and education initiatives across the country would help ensure prosperity is both deep and wide throughout the country. Over the years, this kind of initiative has created jobs and brought new businesses to many areas at very little cost. The government must improve Canada’s communications infrastructure and facilitate access, use, and skills in this area by committing to effective broadband from coast to coast to coast that supports a full range of communications applications.>> 3. How can we create economic growth, protect the environment and meet local priorities while ensuring that the most vulnerable don't get left behind.>> National programs that provide access, education, and support for the effective use of new communications technologies in communities should be considered essential investments that generate demand and build human capacity to meet that demand. We must ensure that all Canadians are able to participate in the new economy. Reintroduction and expansion of support for public access programs will boost local economies by encouraging them to use new technologies for community development and by offering collaborative tools. When Canadian communities suffer because of major job losses, these programs help provide support in an economic downturn.>> 4. Is the implementation of these new priorities and initiatives realistic? Will it help us grow our economy?>> Affordable high-speed internet access is an indispensable asset for the economic health of communities of all sizes. It attracts businesses, encourages local entrepreneurship, and maintains high standards in education and health services, all of which support local sustainability. Some of the funds earmarked for infrastructure spending in this budget should be channelled into designing and implementing a digital strategy and into extending rural and remote connectivity programs. The federal government should work with provincial authorities to encourage the development of a digitally literate population, and the Minister of Employment, Workforce and Labour should review policies and programs to ensure that priority is given to training in digital skills.>>>> Marita>> _______________________________________________>> Advisors mailing list>> Advisors at tc.ca>> http://victoria.tc.ca/mailman/listinfo/advisors>>      >    _______________________________________________Advisors mailing listAdvisors at tc.cahttp://victoria.tc.ca/mailman/listinfo/advisors

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