Addressing a more broadly conceived ‘digital divide’ means that, ideally, all individuals, social organizations, businesses, and communities in Canada should be capable of responding effectively to changes in our technologically oriented society, in order to be able to participate fully in economic and social activities. Understanding the social divide is the first step toward realizing this ideal.

Findings of the 2000 survey

This report examines responses to the survey question asking why respondents did not have access to the Internet from home. The analysis focused on three main barriers to usage: cost, perceived lack of need, and lack of interest.

Canada's Internet Digital Divide: Usage did not grow during 2000

• After strong growth in the mid 1990s, growth of Internet usage was flat throughout 2000.
• Access from home and elsewhere is showing signs of plateauing for all socio-economic levels.
  
  
  • While lower income Canadian households showed the fastest growth in this period (40 per cent overall connected from somewhere and 31 per cent from home), analysts expect this sub-group's access to plateau—particularly from home.
  • Any growth in specific sub-groups will probably be at a much slower pace than between 1997 and 2000.

Income has been the most important factor to determine the likelihood of Internet access.

• Education, location, gender and age are also important factors.
• By 2000, location (rural versus urban setting) was gaining in importance as a factor, with rural areas showing lower levels of access.