Remaining In Step

Given Canada’s rapidly changing information society, public access sites must re-evaluate and adjust priorities to continue to make a positive contribution to raising Canadians to the status of the world’s most connected. Most recently, public access site usage has taken a back seat to home Internet usage and access. This holds true for some subgroups most at risk of being marginalized, most notably senior/retirees. That being said, public access sites continue to be important access resource for a significant minority of low-income Canadians and labourers (those least likely to have workplace Internet access).

Non-users attitudes indicate this trend will continue to deepen. While a lack of interest is cited by many, not having a computer or having a computer that is too old is perceived as a key barrier to usage for a large number of non-users. This is particularly the case for those who report an expectation to begin using the Internet in the next year.

When questioned as to why obtaining a computer and access at home was a necessary requirement for usage, focus group participants indicated that access from public locations is insufficient to met their or their family’s needs and as such held little appeal.

These results indicate a strong and persistent belief that usage hinges on having access within the home. At this stage in the development of Canada’s information society, public access sites have a changing role in providing Internet access services. On the one hand, the role of providing access to the general population is declining. On the other hand, public access sites and community networks are in an advantaged position to expand provision of computer and Internet skills development, as well as other forms of skills and learning programming to provide non-financial facilitation of home access options to disadvantaged Canadians and those most at risk of being marginalized. Strategically located public access sites also fill an important need to ensure that Canadians are able to access government and community information and services.