Leading up to the Canadian federal election, Spark presents Canada’s Digital Wish List. We’re asking people who work in technology and innovation to tell us what they think Canada needs to do now in order to be considered a major innovator in the future.
Heather Creech is the Director of Knowledge Communications at the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg. She’s in charge of sharing and integrating the IISD’s ideas and knowledge with partners and networks around the world.
On Heather’s digital election wishlist is a return to the vision of Canada as a connected country. This means establishing a set of national policies for broadband access and cellular phone services, and making sure these tools are accessible to all Canadians – even those living in rural or isolated parts of the county. Canada used to be a global leader in broadband access, but as the rest of the world catches up and passes us, Canadians are finding it harder to participate and compete in the digital global arena. What Heather really wishes she was hearing from the politicians during this election is a strong investment in the infrastructure and management of the technology that connects Canadians to each other and the rest of the world.
You can listen to Heather’s list below, or download as an MP3.
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Check back for more digital wish lists, and make sure to add your wish to the list.
First off, I agree so much with what Heather is saying. So many people in rural area get ignored when it comes to communication and connection technology. The problem is it’s so far down the campaign promises list, I don’t think it’s even on most peoples, let alone politician’s, radars. Even living where I am, 10 min. outside London (a fairly major city) in a small town (about 300 people) we don’t have access to any sort of broadband and most people I talk to are genuinely surprised by that!
I do disagree with Heather saying that it’s more important then roads and health care. With a road I can drive to where I can get connected and I can drive to where I need other more basic necessities of life. I can live without broadband (have been for ever!), can’t live without food!
@ Bill Deys
I do see you point about roads and health care, but I’m going to have to disagree…
Heather Creech is trying to outline a bigger picture than the average consumer of internet at home. The big picture is the state of our entire society’s use of communication systems. This goes far beyond the scope of our home connection to the internet and how fast it is. She is touching on our country’s contribution to building the global system within our country. I feel that this is vastly important for the future of our country on the world stage as well as the well being of all the people in our country.
jimmy