Malpeque Liberal MP Wayne Easter said the federal government had every intention of cutting funding to the country's Community Access Program (CAP) — which provides internet and computer access in community centres — but backed off after public and opposition pressure.

Earlier this week, the federal government said it would stop funding sites within 25 km of a library. This would have closed all of P.E.I.'s 38 CAP locations.

But Tuesday, Industry Minister Tony Clement blamed a communication error, and pledged to keep the money in place until the end of March 2011.

"It was no misunderstanding at all. [The funding] was, in fact, slated to be cut. What we're seeing here is what we see so much of from this government. It's the same as they did in their budget. They didn't make any decisions," said Easter. "Now they're saying it will be funded for a year. What happens then? They are so dishonest. Cut it and then say it's confusion. They really meant to cut it. That's the bottom line."

Easter wonders where the government will take the money from now to make up the difference in its budget.