[Advisors] [CommunityInformaticsCanada] RE: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service

Mon Mar 7 14:46:53 PST 2016

Excellent Alan (and for sure your email came through… :) 

And as it happens it was crossing with mine to the folks involved with the Community Power initiative which pointed to a lot of what you folks are already doing… :)

Canada in the late 90’s and through the 00’s pioneered globally in the provision of Internet access services through what were called (in Canada) Community Access Program sites (CAPs) <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Access_Program>  and elsewhere called telecentres <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecentre> .  As the cost of local Internet access declined rapidly the immediate requirement (was perceived) as declining as well and the quite successful (particularly in rural areas) CAP program was allowed to whither and eventually effectively die. (There are still a few remnants hanging on using student internship funding <http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cap-pac.nsf/eng/home>  primarily.) 

Canada currently has some 75% of the population connected to the Internet the vast bulk of whom are quite content in the services that they are accessing and overall with the experience.  However, a minority of that 75% and perhaps a majority of the 25% not currently having access represent quite a significant number of Canadians with no or inadequate opportunities to access and use the Internet.  For some it is a question of cost and the current unavailability of free (or very low cost) Internet service (except where available in public libraries) is a still very significant problem.  For others it is the cost of purchasing and maintaining a piece of often cranky hardware and software.  For others it is a lack of training in how to use computers/the Internet often because of a lack of English/French skills (immigrant population) or low levels of literacy.  For still others it is a fear of technology and for still others it is an absence of the mechanical devices that will allow those with particular kinds of disabilities to use computers. 

If only 10% of the Canadian population (the figure is generally estimated at twice this) fall into one or another of the categories above we are talking about 3.5 million people in all communities in need of some sort of public Internet access and the attendant support. 

As well, there are many in communities across Canada—high school and other students, hobbyists, small scale entrepreneurs and inventors who have need to access relatively low cost equipment but equipment which they can individually not afford.  The development of what is being “the Maker Movement <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecentre> ” of those who are looking to “make” technology as well as use it is now widespread and community hubs where activities of this kind can take place are springing up widely but so far only in major centres. 

Finally, one of the major problems in the electronic era is electronic waste <http://www.rcbc.ca/resources/additional-resources-links/e-waste> .  There is in most communities a need for a centre where e-waste can be dropped off and where trained staff can refurbish as appropriate and disassemble for scrap as necessary. 

All of the above are in many cases an unanswered need in communities big and small (except for the largest) across Canada.  They are in need of a physical space for some of the activities and an organizational/management framework for hiring and supervising (mostly temporary/student) staff. 

It seems to me that this is an obvious and mutually beneficial fit with the Community Power vision. 

(BTW, it should be noted that one of the initial ideas was to co-locate CAP centres with post offices, but this was evidently rejected at the time because the politicians wanted to be seen cutting ribbons on standalone CAP facilities :(.

From: Alan Schneider [mailto:Alan.Schneider at lcncap.com] 
Sent: March 7, 2016 1:50 PM
To: Michael Gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com>; 'Toby Harper-Merrett' <toby.hm at cfsc-opec.org>; 'cracin-canada' <cracin-canada at vcn.bc.ca>
Cc: sympa at vancouvercommunity.net; advisors at tc.ca; cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net
Subject: RE: [CommunityInformaticsCanada] RE: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service

Hi everyone,

I always wonder if my emails  get through… 

Lethbridge Community Network is already underway with two major initiatives  - and will be presenting (again ) to Lethbridge Council this spring. 

-          Providing free public wi-fi throughout city hot spots (gardens, walkways) and providing subsidized internet to low-income residents. (similar to Acorn study) where LCN will be able to provide wireless point of entry to a residential unit/house/complex and partner with city to reduce costs – expected is $10 from resident/$10 from city’s low-income assistance programs.  http://lethbridgecommunitynetwork.com/urbanwifi.html

While we are trying to obtain access to the city’s dark fibre, we have found it more efficient to use some of the wireless  towers already in use by local telcos and even some sponsored  (funded) by Industry Canada. 

-          Creating permanent ecycle recycle points in the city.   We host an annual ecycle drive and results are showing we can sustain a permanent facility and provide for scheduled household pick up.  Proceeds go to fund our mandate of providing public access to information and technology (computers) . 

www.EcycleDrive.com <http://www.EcycleDrive.com> 

As a “model” for what is proposed below, you will find LCN’s business model already incorporates:

Basic computer training skills.

Computer Refurbishing

Employing Youth (IT) for providing computer support to other not for profits and web dev.

Social Media for Seniors

Regards, Alan Schneider

Executive Director

Lethbridge Community Network.com 

From: cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net <mailto:cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net>  [mailto:cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net] On Behalf Of Michael Gurstein
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2016 2:13 PM
To: 'Toby Harper-Merrett'; 'cracin-canada'
Subject: [CommunityInformaticsCanada] RE: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service

Yes, excellent…

M

From: Toby Harper-Merrett [mailto:toby.hm at cfsc-opec.org] 
Sent: March 7, 2016 1:03 PM
To: Michael Gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com <mailto:gurstein at gmail.com> >; 'cracin-canada' <cracin-canada at vcn.bc.ca <mailto:cracin-canada at vcn.bc.ca> >
Subject: Re: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service

How about as outlets for access to low-cost technology, for eligible beneficiaries? As well as e-waste dropoff points?

__

Toby Harper-Merrett, Executive Director | Directeur général

Computers for Success - Canada Incorporated | Ordinateurs pour l'excellence - Canada Incorporée

toby.hm at cfsc-opec.org <mailto:toby.hm at cfsc-opec.org>  

+1 514 293 6987

  _____  

From: Michael Gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com <mailto:gurstein at gmail.com> >
Sent: March 7, 2016 3:20 PM
To: Toby Harper-Merrett; 'cracin-canada'; 'TC Advisors'
Subject: RE: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service 

Hi Toby,

I’m not sure that community ISP’s are the direction to go… may be quite a lot of work for not a lot of return but having Post Office’s as community Internet hubs providing Internet access, training, computer support and maintenance, perhaps community wifi would be very useful.

M

From: Toby Harper-Merrett [mailto:toby.hm at cfsc-opec.org] 
Sent: March 7, 2016 7:04 AM
To: Michael Gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com <mailto:gurstein at gmail.com> >; 'cracin-canada' <cracin-canada at vcn.bc.ca <mailto:cracin-canada at vcn.bc.ca> >; 'TC Advisors' <advisors at tc.ca <mailto:advisors at tc.ca> >
Subject: Re: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service

Let's think about this.. how could community-focused ISP be made available through this new vision?

__

Toby Harper-Merrett, Executive Director | Directeur général

Computers for Success - Canada Incorporated | Ordinateurs pour l'excellence - Canada Incorporée

toby.hm at cfsc-opec.org <mailto:toby.hm at cfsc-opec.org>  

+1 514 293 6987

  _____  

From: cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net <mailto:cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net>  <cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net <mailto:cracin-canada-owner at vancouvercommunity.net> > on behalf of Michael Gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com <mailto:gurstein at gmail.com> >
Sent: February 29, 2016 12:01 PM
To: 'cracin-canada'; 'TC Advisors'
Subject: FW: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service 

Interesting proposal. Perhaps they should add community broadband/community wireless to the range of offerings.

M

From: Dru Jay, Friends of Public Services [mailto:info at publicservices.ca] 
Sent: February 29, 2016 7:31 AM
To: Michael Gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com <mailto:gurstein at gmail.com> >
Subject: Delivering Community Power: A bold vision for an expanded postal service

 <http://www.publicservices.ca/?e=5811432d38823d32012f728012e68395&utm_source=smartchange&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=decopo&n=1> 

Michael -- 

Today, Friends of Public Services, CUPW, the folks behind the Leap Manifesto and allies are launching a bold proposal <http://www.deliveringcommunitypower.ca?e=5811432d38823d32012f728012e68395&utm_source=smartchange&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=decopo&n=2> : to change Canada's post office into the hub of a green economy that benefits everyone.

Here's what Naomi Klein had to say about the proposal:

“We face too many crises in this country to address them one at a time. What’s powerful about Delivering Community Power is how it takes on economic, environmental and social issues at the same time. Our post offices can become centres of community care and economic development, while bringing emissions down — this is the kind of leap we need in Canada.”

And here's CUPW President Mike Palecek:

“Canada’s public postal service owns the country’s largest retail and logistics network. In every province and territory, the thousands of dedicated postal workers have thorough knowledge of their communities. CUPW is really proud of them. Let’s develop our public postal service to its full potential.” 

Read the proposal and sign on as a supporter here: www.deliveringcommunitypower.ca <http://www.deliveringcommunitypower.ca?e=5811432d38823d32012f728012e68395&utm_source=smartchange&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=decopo&n=3> 

What's next?

Our plan is to get this proposal into the hands of thousands of people across Canada to spark discussions about what Canada Post could be... just in time for the public review of our postal service.

To help Friends of Public Services spread the message of Delivering Community Power, make a donation <https://publicservices-smartchange.nationbuilder.com/donate?e=5811432d38823d32012f728012e68395&utm_source=smartchange&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=decopo&n=4>  today.

This email was sent to gurstein at gmail.com. 
To stop receiving emails,  <http://www.smartchange.ca/unsubscribe?e=5811432d38823d32012f728012e68395&utm_source=smartchange&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=decopo&n=5> click here. 

Socialize with Friends of Public Services on  <http://www.smartchange.ca/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FFriends_PS&e=5811432d38823d32012f728012e68395&utm_source=smartchange&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=decopo&n=6> Twitter or  <http://www.smartchange.ca/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffriendsofpublicservices%2F&e=5811432d38823d32012f728012e68395&utm_source=smartchange&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=decopo&n=7> Facebook. 

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