Federal Government Wants Canadian
Communities Online for the Millenium
Community groups throughout the country are taking advantage of the Federal Government's program to provide small communities with access to technology as the country approaches the new millennium. The Federal Government, through Industry Canada, is working with other levels of government to implement a Community Access Program (CAP) to connect communities in Canada to the Information Highway. The goal of this program is to make Canada the most connected country in the world by March 31, 2001.
The program began in 1994 to provide Internet access to over 5,000 communities having fewer than 50,000 residents in rural and remote areas of Canada.
Proposals should demonstrate how it will benefit the community by bringing or providing additional services. At present, the Federal Government has agreements with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and the Yukon to share the cost 50:50. Discussions are under way to include other provinces and territories in the near future, but where there is no agreement, the Federal Government funds up to the maximum amount of CAP.
Applicants for this funding should be a community based partnership of key organizations, and have to demonstrate widely based community support. Groups who have already applied for CAP funding are still eligible to submit proposals for additional sites. Proposals must also demonstrate that they will be financially and operationally viable on a continuing basis to qualify for CAP funds. This can include cash donations, in-kind services, and demonstrated revenues from fund-raising or nominal user fees.
Public access sites co-funded by CAP must have Internet access, email capabilities and accessibility for the disabled. Other minimum requirements include at least four computers, printing facilities, technical support and 20-25 hours of operating time per week, including weekend and evening hours.
The next deadline for submitting proposals for funding will be in the spring of 1999. Detailed information and proposal packages should be available in January.
Additional information can be obtained through any of the following: Phone: 1-800-268-6608, 1-800-575-9200 or TTY: 1-800-465-7735, Fax: (613) 952-8711 or (613) 941-5544 Email: comaccess@ic.gc.ca Internet: http://cap.unb.ca/ Mail: Director, Community Access Program, Industry Canada, 155 Queen St., 7th floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0H5.
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OLT Calls for Proposals to
Promote The Office of Learning Technologies (OLT) was established within Human Resources Development Canada to promote innovative learning opportunities through technologies. It provides funding support for projects with the potential to have a broad impact on learning in Canada through the use of technology. The current call for proposals is giving special consideration to projects that focus on meeting the learning needs of adults not currently enrolled in formal education and/or whose opportunities for accessing learning are limited, due to socio-economic conditions such as culture or location. The proposal should focus on adult learners and meet the OLT guidelines, and the current deadline for proposals is January 27, 1998. For additional information on the-Office of Learning Technologies or proposal guidelines, contact: Voicemail: 1-819-953-0300, Web Site: http://olt-bta.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/contribu/index.html, or by mail to: 15 Eddy St., Hull, Quebec, K1A 0M5. |