Telecommunications
Policy Forum
At Victoria Park Hotel (map)
9:00 - 9:30
Summary of previous day's proceedings
9:30 -10:30
Digital Opportunities for Whom? Creating ICT programs for Canadian communities
Chair: Robert Guerra (Privaterra)
- Susan O'Donnell (National Research Council - Institute for Information Technology, and Research on ICTs with Aboriginal Communities-RICTA)
- Peter Frampton (Learning Enrichment Foundation/TC)
Canada has, for many, a remarkable record of investing in community-based initiatives designed to enable all Canadians to take advantage of ICTs. However, the design, implementation, and administration of federal programs in support of community ICT initiatives have not always been carried out with the needs, resources, constraints, and priorities of communities in mind. What are the successes and challenges of government funded community ICT programs? How should these be reformed to better meet the needs of communities (e.g. funding level and duration, evaluation, research)? Sustainability of these programs is also key. Currently supporters of the Community Access Program are engaged in yet another political action campaign to maintain federal funding levels. The TPRP Final Report recommended 'smart adoption' of ICTS for businesses, government, the public sector, and civil society. Furthermore, they recommended the creation of a National ICT Adoption Centre and Advisory Council. While the TPRP promotes the development of a 'vibrant ICT private sector', they also recognized the role that community groups can play in providing technological and social infrastructures for citizens. How, then, can community groups creatively contribute to social and technical innovation for the economic, social, and cultural well-being of diverse Canadian communities? What are some of these best practices?
11:00 - 12:00
Breakout discussions
12:00 - 1:00
Lunch
1:00 - 2:00
Keeping Canada's Internet Open For All: The 'net-neutrality' debate and what it means for Canadians
Chair: Robert Guerra (Privaterra)
- Ben Scott (Free Press)
- Ross Rader (Tucows)
A debate about preserving 'network neutrality' - the principle that all Internet traffic be treated equally, regardless of origin, destination, or application type - has been raging in the United States for the last year. What is meant by the term 'net neutrality'? Why are major U.S. telecom companies trying to subvert it? The TPRP final report recommended the establishment of a consumer access provision that would,"confirm the right of Canadian consumers to access publicly available Internet applications and content of their choice by means of all public telecommunications networks providing access to the Internet." In Canada, some large telcos and ISPs would like to be able to charge for quality-of-service and/or tiers of service, ostensibly tailored to different customer needs. Under such a system, what would the erosion of 'net neutrality' mean for Canadians in general and community networks in particular? Does net neutrality pose larger problems related to communication rights and democracy?
2:00 - 2:30
Breakout discussion
2:30 - 4:00
Breakout reports, wrap-up and next steps