5.13 Community Access Programs (CAP)
The Nova Scotia Community Access Program (CAP) is a joint initiative
of the Federal Government, through Industry Canada and the Province
of Nova Scotia, managed by the Technology and Science Secretariat.
The Community Access Program (CAP) aims to provide Canadians with affordable
public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively.
With the combined efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial
governments, community groups, social agencies, libraries, schools,
volunteer groups and the business community, CAP helps Canadians, wherever
they live, take advantage of emerging opportunities in the new global
knowledge-based economy. Under CAP, public locations like schools, libraries
and community centres act as "on-ramps" to the Information
Highway, and provide computer support and training.
CAP is the key component of the Government of Canada's Connecting Canadians
initiative, whose goal is to make Canada the most connected nation in
the world. CAP started in 1994 in rural communities with populations
up to 50,000. Then in December 1999, following a successful pilot program
in urban communities, CAP is now being rolled out to larger population
centres of over 50,000. By March 31, 2001, Industry Canada's goal was
to establish public Internet access sites in up to 10,000 rural, remote
and urban communities across Canada
The goal of the program in Nova Scotia was to fund up to 240 sites
in schools, libraries and other community centres before March 31st,
2001 and to provide communities with affordable public access to the
Information Highway. There are currently 276 CAP Sites in Nova Scotia
and in 2003 CAP sites across the province saw 1,000,000 visitor hours.
5.14 Additional Resources/Supports
The Resources and Supports discussed in this section is by no means
an exhaustive list of what may be available in the Strait Region. However,
those listed could provide a starting point to explore opportunities
for a continuum of career/life planning programs and services for those
who need skills upgrading.
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